Professional Electrician & Installer Magazine Summer 2020

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TO EE FR DE RA ET TH

PROFESSIONAL

ELECTRICIAN THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRICAL TRADE

BUBBLE TROUBLE?

& INSTALLER SUMMER 2020

HOW TO INSTALL A HOT TUB THIS SUMMER

WHAT IS CPD? WHY YOU MAY BE DOING MORE THAN YOU REALISE

PRS UPDATE THE LATEST NEWS ON MANDATORY CHECKS IN THE PRIVATE RENTAL SECTOR ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: CAUGHT ON CAMERA ● NEW PRODUCTS ● TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ● CODEBREAKERS AND MORE…

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

Summer 2020 Volume 36 No.6

Regulars 5 7 22 41 45 46 64 65 67

How to install a hot tub this summer

VIEWPOINT NEWS THE CODEBREAKERS MADE 2 MEASURE ASK OVIA NEW MK ELECTRIC INSIGHTS PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE CAUGHT ON CAMERA CAPTAIN C-TEC

News & Views 11

Comment and guidance on new mandatory checks in the PRS

15 What is CPD and how should you record it?

Special Report 19 We look at the journey and inspiration behind The Compliance Workbook (TCW)

Technical & Training 25 How to correctly install a hot tub 31 Amendment 1: a boost for EVCP installations?

35 Key safety considerations when it comes to providing power and light outdoors 38 RCDs, metal consumer units and TT installations 44 The latest training courses and remote learning opportunities The latest news on checks in the PRS

11

25 Win a place at the AOS training academy

Products & Business Solutions 47 Ben Curry offers his seven secrets to smart technology success 52 A look at some of the options professional electricians can offer to help customers make the most of their garden space

32

55 Why there was no playing with fire when introducing a new intumescent member to the Vexbox product family

Competitions & Giveaways

58 We get more details about the launch of a innovative new lighting solution

17

60 Rounding-up the latest products, tools and equipment to help you in your work

47

Seven secrets to smart technology success

WIN Win a two-pack Snickers summer t-shirt set

32 WIN Bag a place at the Art of Smart Training Academy 45 WIN A C.K ArmourSlice cable stripper could be yours Testing times for a new fire safety product

55 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN Summer 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 GEMMA WATSON 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 7 Covid-19 PPE © Julias Udnitskaya Pg 8 Ray of sunlight © Peter Schreiber Pg 11 Homes in spotlight © Szetazi Pg 25 Hot tub bubbles © Saichol Pg 26 Indoor hot tub © Goodpics Pg 28 Outdoor hot tub © Kurhan Pg 31 Green driving © Elnur Pg 32 EV charging © Thongchai Pg 38 Consumer unit © Stephen Davies

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

Are they taking the Michael?

I

f, like most of the nation during the lockdown, the MPs governing our country had used the time wisely to catch up on the latest Netflix box-sets, they’d have been well advised to take a look at The Last Dance, a documentary about legendary Chicago Bulls basketball player Michael Jordan.

Though life with Jordan, as a teammate or opponent, was no picnic to say the least, there can be no denying that he's a man who recognises that if you want others to follow your way of thinking, you must first lead by example.

Always early for training, always the last to leave the court. 100% effort and determination put into every game or practice session; Jordan's view is that you shouldn't ask someone to do anything that you wouldn't be prepared to do yourself.

Remarkably, when you hear Jordan's teammates discuss their feelings about significant matches The Bulls lost during their careers, their biggest collective regret was not for themselves, but the fact they'd let Jordan down.

Such was the determination to avoid that look of disappointment that greeted them as they returned to the dressing room post-defeat, the individuals in question rarely made the same mistake again.

Jordan is the first to acknowledge that he was just one part of a brilliantly co-ordinated effort from the team's staff and players, ensuring The Bulls have etched their name into the history books forever. It's recognised by everyone involved, however, that without his individual drive and leadership, the story would've been a very different one.

Looking closer to home now, let's compare and contrast Jordan's leadership style with that of a government that has faced the uneviable task of guiding us through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though Jordan's personal life was by no means squeaky clean, his professional standing and record are exemplary. Indeed, had Jordan broken a team curfew, ignored the rules set by Bulls management or failed to turn up for a training session he, like the rest of his teammates, would have been reprimanded.

Whether the resulting penalty was a financial one or an apology to his teammates and the organisation, Jordan (and his coach, Phil Jackson)

would’ve recognised that he can't ask others to follow the high standards he demands of them, if he fails to follow the same code of practice in his own life. Indeed, if he wasn’t punished or failed to show any remorse for his misdemeanour, the damage to The Bulls' blueprint, in which all staff must follow the 'process', would’ve been irreparable.

Though it was the PM's advisor, Dominic Cummings, who was the guilty party in the 'Cummings-gate' saga, Boris Johnson was the man who ultimately failed to recognise that vital need to lead by example, at a time where ordinary folk are/were being asked to make enormous sacrifices for the greater good of the overall 'team'.

His failure to admit any wrongdoing in Cummings' case (despite clear evidence to the contrary, even after the story had been changed for the umpteenth time), and contempt with which public opinion was held after the ill-advised, coordinated 'move on' social campaign from parliamentary colleagues, has done as much damage to the government's efforts to keep public morale and belief in this particular process going, as anything else we've witnessed so far.

Had the PM done the correct thing, admitted that there had been abreach of the rules/guidance the rest of us were told to abide by to ensure we were ALL kept safe (not just our own families), before giving Mr Cummings the same look of disappointment that Jordan subjected so many to during his career – “Dominic has let me and all of his teammates down” – the whole incident would be yesterday's chip paper by now. That didn't happen, and the consequences are there to see.

At the time of writing we've just seen a significant relaxation of the lockdown laws, the success of which will determine how quickly it can be declared safe for many of our readers to return to work. Let's hope the general public continue to show the determination required to set their own example in this case, rather than the one being shown by those who supposedly govern us.

Have a good summer and we'll be back in September.

Richard B owler PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN Summer 2020 5

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news @proelectrician

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

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

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

BSI publishes UK safe working guidelines as industry begins to return In its role as the UK’s National Standards Body, BSI has published new safe working guidelines to help businesses manage a safe return to work and reoccupation of their facilities.

The guidelines are intended to become a consensus of good practice and BSI encourages the business community and members of the public to have their say and share their learnings and insight on safe working to help protect public health.

At the time of publishing, Version 1 of the guidelines is available for immediate use. It provides a framework for business owners, senior leaders, managers and workers to protect people at work from the ongoing risks related to the coronavirus.

Working with an Advisory Group, BSI

will revise the document as frequently as necessary to reflect the dynamic situation businesses are in today, taking into account the comments, government guidance, the level of risk and emerging knowledge. Each Version of the evolving guidelines will be sector neutral and aligned to and complement the current UK government guidance.

Scott Steedman, Director of Standards at BSI, said: “Since the UK government announced gradual easing of the lockdown, business leaders across the country have been taking steps to ensure that their working environment is safe.

Now it's imperative that they come together to achieve their shared goal.

“Our role as the National Standards

Body is to bring people together so they can share their expertise and knowledge and agree what good practice looks like.

Together we can help to make the working environment safe for all.”

The freely available guidelines use the Plan – Do – Check – Act approach (PDCA). They provide a framework to enable ongoing continual improvement and ensure the organisation responds to changes as the business community learns more about safe working and government requirements evolve.

DOWNLOAD THE LATEST VERSION OF THE SAFE WORKING GUIDELINES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER001

ESP launches free design service Contractors will have access to a free design facility that will cover CCTV and fire systems, thanks to a new launch from ESP. Available to any size of business, from local electricians to national contracting companies, the aim is to provide expertise in choosing the right products and solutions to create a scheme that meets all the requirements and objectives of the project in question, and that it’s compliant with all the relevant

regulations and standards.

Matt Tighe, ESP’s System Designer, is heading up the service.

He has accrued vast experience in the industry, which includes 14 years in the fire protection sector, where his responsibilities included designing, installing, commissioning and project-managing in all aspects of the fire and security industry – from care homes to nuclear power plants. ESP is welcoming enquiries from contractors, as

well as wholesalers who supply to the professional electrical contractor market, and a dedicated email address – design@espuk.com – has been set up for enquiries.

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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

Roadmap to Recovery will 'reinvent' construction industry A new plan to ‘reinvent’ the construction industry – ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ – has been released by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

The plan has been developed by participants on the CLC’s coronavirus industry taskforce, which includes ECA CEO Steve Bratt, as well as representatives of BEIS and other trade bodies. It has three stages – restart, reset and reinvent – which aim to kickstart and modernise the industry over the next two years.

The restart stage is all about providing support through the crisis and focuses on safety on projects, encouraging responsible contractual behaviour, and prompt payment down the supply chain.

The plan also calls for a delay of the introduction of reverse charge VAT until October 2021, which ECA supports.

The reset and reinvent stages look to drive demand, strengthen capability and transform the industry to deliver better value through collaboration and partnership.

ECA CEO, Steve Bratt commented: “Given the sharp decline in electrotechnical and engineering services activity over the past few months, it is vital the industry works with government to deliver a recovery plan which protects jobs, businesses and projects.

“This CLC recovery plan, agreed by a broad range of key bodies, sets out a three-stage roadmap to ultimately reinvent the industry.”

The reset stage of the plan proposes flexibility on apprenticeship levy payments, strengthening direct employment and a move towards fairer business models and contracts.

Looking further ahead, the reinvent stage has a series of modernisation ambitions, including a presumption for offsite construction, a series of net zero carbon targets between 2030 and 2050, and modernised training methods.

READ THE FULL CLC RECOVERY PLAN AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER002

Schneider's hand of pod Schneider Electric has launched a new podcast series for electricians.

The podcasts feature chats with leading industry experts, including the e5 Group, the Electrical Industries Charity, JPEL/64 and Schneider Electric's individual Product Managers. Topics on the table include regulations, technical insights, business coaching and mental/financial support. The series is available across all podcast platforms.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER003

Be Productwise this summer with C.K C.K's Productwise offers an online product training resource for trade professionals everywhere.

Whatever you’re looking for, this quick and easy to use resource will provide you with the very best information and advice covering a whole range of tools. This includes a great range of products for electricians from leading hand tools brand C.K; premium tool storage products from C.K Magma; products ideal for the DIYer and professional from Avit; plus a wide range of high quality locks from leading security brand Kasp.

Productwise allows you to access over 270 pages of illustrated, easy to navigate learning modules featuring a wealth of product information from professionals. There’s also a variety of short product videos, offering some great hints and tips.

YOU CAN ACCESS PRODUCTWISE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER004 8 Summer 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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NEWS SPECIAL

“LANDLORDS MUST TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY...”

Mike Smith, ECA Director of Technical, provides us with the current state of play regarding this summer's introduction of new regulations in the Private Rented Sector.

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ll tenants deserve to live in homes which are safe, notably from risks such as fire or electrocution. To ensure better protection for tenants, ECA and other partners pressed the government (for a sustained period) to introduce legislation. The result is the introduction of new regulations to improve electrical safety in the rented sector.

As of 1st June, the ‘Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020’ will have come into force utilising the powers set out in the Housing and Planning Act 2016. It also makes amendments to the ‘Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006’. These regulations apply in England only to:

● all new specified tenancies from 1st

July 2020, ● all existing specified tenancies from 1st

April 2021.

This new statutory requirement places a greater emphasis on the private landlord to ensure that their electrical installations are fit for use.

The regulations make it mandatory in most cases that private landlords have regular and valid electrical installation condition reports (EICR) undertaken in their properties at intervals of no more than five years and for this inspection to be carried out by a qualified person.

Any dangerous situations that require urgent remedial action (C1, C2 or FI) noted on the EICR should be rectified within 28 days. Failure to comply with these regulations carries significant financial penalties.

Landlords must take their responsibilities seriously or face the consequences. At the same time, they will also benefit from these regulations by knowing that their properties are electrically sound, protecting their investment.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OUTSIDE OF ENGLAND? ● Landlords in Wales are subject to

different regulations under the Building Regulations 2010, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Renting Homes (Wales) act 2016. ● Northern Ireland has no laws that

specifically cover electrical safety in privately rented accommodation, however properties must be fit for human habitation. Northern Ireland Electricity can disconnect the electrical supply if it believes that the electricity at a property is unsafe. ● Private landlords in Scotland are

required by law (Housing (Scotland) Act 2006), to ensure that their properties are electrically safe.

GET MORE GENERAL GUIDANCE AND ADVICE ON THE UPDATED PRS LAWS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER005

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NEWS SPECIAL

NAPIT UNVEILS SEARCH MECHANISM FOR LANDLORDS AND NEW PUBLICATION Having taken a lead role in providing detailed guidance to both landlords and members in in the run-up to the regulations, NAPIT is also supporting landlord associations, letting agents and local authorities in their understanding through webinars, articles and by responding directly to queries.

As well as free detailed guidance available on the NAPIT site, the 'search' function on the website not only shows Registered Companies competent to undertake electrical inspection or installation work, but also their registered operatives.

The new listing will show the operative details – including their name, scope of approval and photo ID – for verification purposes, and it's hoped this will provide greater confidence to those who wish to verify the competence of

the individual undertaking electrical work on their property.

NAPIT’s Chief Operating Officer, David Cowburn commented: “I’m delighted that we've taken this crucial step to update our online search facility to include the details of the competent operatives within each of our registered electrical businesses.

“This change has been made to provide greater confidence to consumers and better align with the Minimum Competency Requirements which require us to ensure that there is a record of each competent individual capable of completing self-certification and the limits of their competence.”

Guidance publication At the same time, NAPIT has also launched a new publication to help

landlords and electrical inspectors to better understand the new legislation. It covers subjects such as: legislation requirements, consequences of non-compliance, what's required for an electrical safety check?, different electrical forms, coding of safety checks, plus much more.

NAPIT members can pre-order their copy of the guide for £14.99, while it’s £16.99 for non-members.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER006

NICEIC INVITES APPROVED CONTRACTORS TO 'OPT-IN' TO NEW PRS REGISTER NICEIC has also been quick to respond to the legislation by inviting all Approved Contractors to enrol on a new government-endorsed register.

Official guidance will be released signposting landlords, and their agents, to the Competent Persons Electrical website.

Here they'll be able to search for qualified, electrical contractors able to undertake electrical safety checks in their properties.

In keeping with its commitment to raising standards and ensuring technical excellence, the NICEIC requires Approved Contractors to 'opt-in' should they wish to be included on the list. During this process, registrants must confirm they meet all scheme requirements which include: having the correct professional qualifications, operating in compliance

12 Summer 2020

with best practice guidelines as set out by Electrical Safety First and holding professional indemnity insurance cover.

"We've taken the decision to ask our Approved Contractors to 'opt-in' (as opposed to registering them by default) for two reasons," said NICEIC Technical Director, John O'Neill.

"The first relates to raising standards; we must make sure all NICEIC contractors are fully aware of their obligations under this new scheme. By adding in an

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

additional layer of accountability, we're taking responsible measures to ensure this essential piece of legislation delivers the required safety improvements for all.

"The second respects contractor choice and promotes consumer satisfaction. While this legislation is both needed and welcomed, we appreciate that not all of our Approved Contractors work in the Private Rented Sector. By operating an 'opt-in' model, we aim to avoid frustration and ensure landlords and their agents can quickly identify the right NICEIC contractor for the job."

GET MORE INFORMATION OR OPT-IN FOR THE NICEIC PRS REGISTER BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER007

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READER COMMENT

WHAT IS

CPD? There’s been a lot of debate in the industry recently around the topic of continuing professional development (CPD). So, what is CPD and how can it be used to improve your own personal record? Gary Alder, CEng MIET – BMBJV, Electrical Lead at Tideway, gives his views.

C

ontinuing professional development (a recognised term used by the professional engineering institutes around the world, including the IET) should be a lifelong process to maintain and develop professional competence. After all, it helps ensure that your knowledge is up-to-date and current.

What qualifies as CPD? This is a question that often generates a lot of debate, however I believe the key steps of a CPD cycle are reflection and application.

Reflecting on information you have gained is a key step to recognising you've learned and developed your understanding.

Application is then a case of implementing the knowledge you've gained. This could be sharing information with colleagues or utilising it as part of a design or installation.

I've recently started uploading my CPD from 2019 on to the IET’s 'Career

CAN YOU ACQUIRE CPD FROM THIS ISSUE OF PE? The CPD Certification Service (cpduk.co.uk) classifies both Reflective (Passive) and Self-Directed CPD as: Reflective ‘... examples of this involves reading relevant news articles, podcasts, case studies and industry updates...’

Self-Directed ‘... covers the reading of documents, articles and publications; either in print or online. Reading relevant publications, books by leading experts, industry journals and trade magazines are all types of self-directed CPD...’

Manager' programme, which has presented me with an opportunity to sit and reflect as to how much I've developed throughout the year.

Let's break down some of the examples of continuing professional development that I managed to record: Events/seminars At the beginning of the year I attended the ELEX/Toolfair show at Alexandra Palace. During the event I met manufacturers, with whom I discussed some of the newest products on the market and the latest tool developments.

Tools is an interesting subject in itself within the discussion of CPD. As I had a particularly difficult application for depth measurement when drilling, liaising with staff from the likes of Bosch, Makita and DeWALT on their own products enabled me to move forward with a greater understanding of tools and applications available, eventually applying this within an installation.

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READER COMMENT

regulations, which I completed last year.

There were also seminars available, two of which I attended. The first was on surge protection, and the second on electric vehicle installations within domestic properties. It's a fairly obvious thing to say, but attending events such as these provides great opportunities for you to acquire CPD, often at no cost.

Self-study This may sound like an obvious one again, but how many of us do actually sit and complete this? Within my role as a Design Manager, I'm constantly referencing out to various British Standards I may not have encountered before. Being inquisitive and finding the answer can make something like this seem much less of a chore.

Webinars Even during a worldwide pandemic, there have been numerous opportunities to utilise the time to professionally develop.

Many industry specialists and manufacturers have been providing free CPD in the form of online presentations and webinars. I've completed a few of these myself, including asset management and infra-red camera thermography.

“DO MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED MINIMUM” Any learning that you can reflect upon and remember its value to you, that enhances your knowledge or behaviour(s)/contribution(s) to society or industry, can be counted as CPD. As a CPD assessor for the IET I've reviewed lots of returns and it is evident that the recording side of things has some way to go.

Magazines Firstly, if you're reading this, there’s a good chance you're already completing this avenue of CPD. Industry magazines, such as PE, will often publish technical articles on developments within the industry, or insights into the latest products.

Manufacturer training Because manufacturers want you to utilise their products, this type of training is generally on offer all of the time. It could be something as simple as reading the installation guide and instructions, or advice to help you 'upsell' a product to the customer. Taking advantage of the latest products and technologies will not only help you develop, but can set an electrician apart from other contractors, especially when you're armed with a variety of options for your quote.

Podcasts An ever growing medium within the electrical industry, there are lots of podcasts that each have their own potential for CPD. I've found podcasts particularly easy to listen to whilst completing my daily commute.

Online resources There are plenty of resources available for free online, with a growing expansion of electricians now sharing content on YouTube of installation methods,

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The one thing we need to overcome first is that we do more than the prescribed minimum, which becomes the 'blocker' as we don't yet have great Apps for the easy recording of CPD. One day we will, and it will make evidencing our competency development to employers a far easier process.

Paul Meenan CEng FIET, FCMI, MIAM, MILP, PCQI techniques, new products, and links to purchasing information. With adequate reflection and implementation, this can be a very effective method of CPD. Education The most obvious example of continuing professional development is simply those courses you undertake during your career.

After becoming a chartered engineer (where it is a requirement to record CPD throughout the year), I finally learned the benefit of having a proper CPD plan. This allowed me to budget minimum requirements for my job and allow me to competently continue. An example of this would be updating to the 18th Edition

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

Social media The final, more difficult item, is social media. In my view, this will be down to the individual utilising social media in the right way, which can have its benefits. Away from sharing pictures of cats and children, there's lots of images of installations that are shared on a regular basis.

On Instagram, 'Codebreakers' are completed across many different accounts and this is a useful way to develop experience of periodic inspections, coding and detailing where the installation has gone wrong.

Moving forwards Although CPD is encouraged generally within this industry, the real issue comes from that fact it's not sufficiently recorded and developed by electricians. As such, I've now decided to keep a CPD diary and every day I intend to log the things that I've learned and where I resourced it from. The real key is to be honest with yourself when reflecting.

There has never been a greater opportunity for those working within our trade to find learning opportunities outside of work time, to develop their skills and improve the industry as a whole.

Just don't forget to record it!

Gary has recently launched a new podcast for electricians to chew the fat about the industry and listen to stories from fellow industry colleagues. Follow it on Twitter at: @HittheLightsPod

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PRIZE DRAW

WIN A SNICKERS T-SHIRT FOR THE SUMMER We've got 10 x two-pack cotton t-shirts up for grabs for you lucky readers!

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deal for the summer months, whether for work or leisure, these sets come with two 100% cotton shirts – one plain blue, the other grey with a printed design. Both shirts are made from single-knitted 100% cotton to create a comfortable good-looking fit that's lightweight and easy to care for.

HOW TO ENTER

TO ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A SNICKERS WORKWEAR T-SHIRT PACK, SIMPLY FILL OUT THE CONTACT FORM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER008 Deadline for entries: 31/08/2020. Usual T&Cs apply.

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SPECIAL REPORT

“THE TECHNOLOGY HAS HUGE POTENTIAL IN MANY DIFFERENT SECTORS” PE puts the questions to Ryan Dempsey, founder of The Compliance Workbook (TCW), to find out more about where the inspiration for his business came from and his advice for fellow entrepreneurs who may have a great idea up their sleeve.

Q.

What is your background and how did the concept for TCW arise?

I’ve held several jobs in my time before finally making the jump into the electrical industry. I'll be honest in that most of my working life has involved stressing about how I could come up with an idea to build a viable business and make money. I've honestly had tons and now when I look back I can see the value in most of them.

The craziest thing is that the idea for The Workbook came from necessity rather than greed. I remember sitting on the floor of my lounge with hundreds of Periodic Inspections, checking each one to confirm accuracy with my signature. This annoyed me as I was essentially checking the same thing time and again, feeling like one constant stream of deja vu moments.

Q.

How does TCW work?

In the construction industry, we have a myriad of data capture technologies.

These technologies are great for organisations as they provide legible PDFs which can be used to support legal obligations and, historically, give minimal pieces of information to plan future activities.

This is minimal due to resource limitations – a human hand would be required to look at each document to physically extract the required data and input to other locations.

One of the major issues in larger organisations these days is the division between data, information and knowledge which is fundamentally gleaned from one source. Each department in an organisation is required to understand certain things and achieve specific milestones. For individual departments, the objectives and goals could be somewhat different and, as such, what’s important for a finance team is less important to the engineering team and vice versa.

When we created The Workbook we knew from the start that the most important aspect of what we do is the ability to see and extract 100% of the data and then seamlessly link that to the information and knowledge objectives each organisation requires.

To give some examples, the engineering teams will require each document to be fully assessed against regulatory standards. An EICR will have,

on average, 300 individual checks on the results and data inputted. Furthermore, they’ll be required to see if a particular worker is performing slightly off-piste to the rest of the workforce to be more proactive in identifying risk and compliance issues.

A finance department doesn’t focus on the accuracy of the data, more so the information in the document and how that stacks up against the asset lifecycle planning schedule. The finance team will assume there is a value to maintaining the stock over a period of time. This is based on historical information which has been keyed into software systems manually.

The information across all data captured by the workforce confirms or realigns the budget's projections, hopefully, more towards the black than the red.

The Compliance Workbook is the only product of its kind, worldwide, that can extract physical data accurately from any digital PDF document produced by the workforce. This previously unstructured data is now completely formatted, structured and searchable. Due to The Workbook's capabilities, we’ve been able to completely transform organisations' management practices around understanding their asset management responsibilities, compliance obligations and significantly reduce risk exposure.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN Summer 2020 19

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SPECIAL REPORT

Q.

What sort of take up/adoption of TCW have you had to this point?

When you consider the phrase 'entrepreneur' you think of someone setting up a business or taking an idea to market. The bit you never consider is the ‘how’ aspect of a launch and what it takes to make a once unknown brand a known one.

It was our decision from the beginning to find a well-known brand to 'white list' our technology and to initially sell the product in the Social Housing market. This is where the value for the product was first demonstrated, and where my main experience lies.

If you search for our platform in the Social Housing arena you'll find CORGI Compliance Document Management System (CDMS). Our technology now has over one million Social Housing properties registered, which equates to around 20% of the market. This, without doubt, puts the CDMS platform in top place as a market-leading product.

Specific return on investment for our clients can vary depending on their stock levels and current compliance standards.

Onward, for example, are a leading UK housing provider with 25,000 properties.

They spent a lot of time manually checking certificates and wanted to reliably automate their process, so implementing our

development a couple of years ago. As the number of clients increased we needed to be sure that large increases in volume would not slow the software or cause issues.

Q.

software resulted in a 20% improvement in gas compliance and an approximate saving of £50,000 on their portfolio.

Q.

What have you learned/revised about the product as you’ve gone along?

The technology has developed as we’ve expanded simply due to the fact we’ve understood more about the industries we work in. That's key I guess, to be flexible in your approach and to react in accordance with knowledge gained. The team here look to apply common sense and innovation to development which enhances the product's offering for the complete user-base.

Scalability of the product is certainly something we realised required

What plans do you have for TCW moving forwards?

The technology has so much potential in so many sectors.

We’ve been holding a few doors shut for a while, simply due to family commitments and the nervousness around the speed this could grow.

Trying to keep a level head to ensure we can deliver the customer service we already pride ourselves on is essential. However, the time is now and we believe as a company the opportunity ahead of us is something we should jump into with both hands and feet.

Q.

What advice would you have for other entrepreneurs who have an idea they’d like to develop?

By far the hardest part of starting a business is the first few steps. Once you’ve decided your idea is worthy of your fullest attention, stop telling everyone about it and get on with developing the concept, idea or business.

Don’t tell people you're going to be loaded and definitely don't assume that your product and your passion is better or at a higher frequency to the next person you meet. If you truly want to grow an idea to a financially viable product that pays your way (and others), you’re going to have to work your backside off to get to that point.

I have a quote wall in my kitchen and I spend a few minutes each morning reading the different quotes my friends and family have provided. One of the best on there is: “people can and will doubt the things you say, it’s impossible to doubt what you do”. This is so true in business.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.THECOMPLIANCE WORKBOOK.COM OR FOLLOW TCW ON TWITTER @TCW_01

20 Summer 2020

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CODEBREAKERS MIKE: AN EICR IN A METAL FABRICATION WORKSHOP: “SO, HOW DO WE OVERCOME NO SPARE MCB WAYS?” THE RED/YELLOW/BLUE FEEDS ANOTHER 3-PHASE DB IN A TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING, FILLED WITH PRICELESS ANTIQUES! Unfortunately this is often seen in commercial installations carried out by seemingly time-served electricians and is most likely pre2005, especially given the cable colours.

There's no excuse for this, and I can only assume the installer was looking to increase the main DB circuit number capacity, without replacing the DB itself, by fitting an extension enclosure/DB adjacent to the main DB. This isn't uncommon, but it has to be done correctly, and there are several routes to achieve this. For clarity, this isn't one of them!

It is a fundamental requirement for conductors to be protected against overload current and that has most likely not been exercised here. Given there are occurrences in BS 7671, which allow downstream protection (for example, Regulation 434.2.2.) I don't feel that is the case here, taking account of the difficulty in confirming the SWA conductor size from the photos (or its type either 70˚C SWA or 90˚C XLPE – its likely to be SWA). Neither can we confirm the size of the device protecting the cable exiting the extension DB. The connection point of the extension DB is via the incoming terminals of three single-phase MCBs. This point of connection isn't intended to be for conductors of this type or in this configuration.

The MCB terminations at this point are designed to be fitted to the

manufacturer's busbar; they're not designed to incorporate a second conductor 'piggybacked' on to the terminal. This type of modification isn't likely to meet the manufacturer's instructions, and may well produce issues with overheating if the correct conductor clamping and torque requirements haven't been met.

Other issues to look at here, given the general state of the installation techniques are: 1. The radius and stress of the interconnecting piece of SWA (between main and extension DB), plus adequate securing via a clamp, etc. (or lack of it).

2. The effectiveness of any Earth continuity between SWA glands and metal enclosures.

3. The possible IP infringement of the extension DM blanking plate.

Although not likely an IP2X infringement, it doesn't appear to be fitted correctly. Without further investigation I can't comment on whether there is access to live parts, as the conductors may connect directly to the device and not use a bus bar.

4. Adequate isolation for maintenance etc. Generally, it would be assumed that an MCB would isolate the extension DB from within the main DB, but that isn't the case here, as to isolate the extension would require complete isolation of the main DB. This may cause problems with disruption, and potential danger if an ordinary person believed they had isolated the extension DB, when in fact they may not have done.

5. The timber framed antique building filled with priceless objects should be subject of a fire risk assessment, carried out by a competent fire risk assessor. It's likely that a 300 mA RCD would be specified for the protection against fire.

6. Exporting the earthing system to an external building would have to be investigated.

7. The external building may require a multi-pole isolator for all live conductors, if operated by ordinary persons.

GET THE BOOK AND CRACK THOSE CODES!

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

22 Summer 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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

LOGAN WINZAR: I FOUND THIS IN MY GIRLFRIEND’S UNIVERSITY FLAT. IT’S A THREE-PIN PLUG WIRED INTO A DOUBLE POLE SWITCH TO FEED A SHOWER PUMP. WHEN THE SWITCH IS ON THE PIN PLUGS ARE LIVE! There really are no words for the complete lack of thought or respect for the safety of others, shown by this poor standard of installation work! Immediate action should be carried out by the landord or their agents to remove this dangerous situation.

Hopefully, the new legislation that protects tenants in England will go a long way to reducing this kind of abhorrent practice. This went live from last month and its full title is: The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.

NAPIT has produced a guide for both landlords and electrical inspectors to help them understand the new legislation, as the implications and requirements of it are profound.

New legislation aside, we need to look at the BS 7671 infringements here. The main issue is that we have to assume that at any point, the double pole switch could be energised, which will leave the BS 1363 plug top with exposed live parts. Even more dangerous is the fact that we don't expect BS 1363 plug tops to be live. By design and requirement of their specifications, these accessories are de-energised when not inserted.

Regulation 416.2.1, requires all live parts to be inside an appropriate enclosure, which clearly is not the case here, so only one code can be given here – C1 – with immediate action required to remove the danger.

The standard of workmanship and sheer lack of understanding also leads us towards Regulation 134.1.1, which requires that good

workmanship by a skilled or instructed person be utilised, taking account of manufacturers' instructions.

As BS 1363 doesn't specify that the plug top can be used in this manner, manufacturers' instructions have clearly not been adhered to. Whatever the reasoning behind this immediately dangerous installation was, it clearly needs disconnection and circuit alteration to allow for safe and continued use.

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/ER009

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U B B L B O LE E U R T B AT THE TOP!

In the run up to summer, there’s one particular subject that will often dominate the Q&A sessions on social media: how to install a hot tub. So, what are the main issues to consider?

Pete ‘Monty’ Monfort of Arena Training offers his advice.

B

ath or pool?

In the first instance, it makes sense to define what a hot tub actually is. BS 7671 makes no specific reference to hot tubs in either Section 701 (Locations containing a bath or shower) or Section 702 (Swimming pools and other basins).

However, IET Guidance Note 7 (Special Locations) states (at 13.8) that where a hot tub is located in a room such as a garden room, shed, etc., it is recommended that the relevant requirements detailed in Section 701 of BS 7671 should be applied in full.

Where a hot tub is located outdoors in the open-air, the relevant requirements detailed in Section 702 of BS 7671 should be met.

Increased risk of electric shock The key concerns that electricians need to consider when installing a hot tub relate to the increased risk of electric shock due to: ● minimal or lack of clothing or footwear, ● immersion, or partial immersion, in

water, which reduces body resistance, ● availability of earthed metal work, ● increased contact area, ● good contact with the ground where

hot tubs are fitted outside.

General considerations The selection of cables will need to take into account the potential for damage, especially where cables are to be run outside. Designers should consider using steel wire armoured (SWA) cable or suitable cable containment to provide adequate protection. When selecting a suitable protective device, the manufacturer’s instructions should be taken into account.

Occasionally, an installer may even be asked to install a supply, prior to the customer selecting a specific model of hot tub. In this case, the installer should ascertain the maximum power rating for the hot tub, and a good rule of thumb would be to select a protective device with a rated current 25% above the maximum demand, to allow for inrush currents caused by the hot tub motor(s).

The selected cable and device must still satisfy Regulation 433.1.1 (Ib < In < Iz).

Installation inside Where the installation of a hot tub is inside a room, circuits supplying the hot tub and any other equipment in the vicinity of the hot tub (including circuits passing through the area) will need additional protection afforded by one or more RCDs, rated at 30 mA or less (Regulation 701.411.3.3).

In a new installation, all the final circuits are required to meet the requirements for automatic disconnection, be protected by 30 mA RCDs, and have all extraneous-conductive-parts within the location effectively connected to the protective equipotential bonding in accordance with Regulation 411.3.1.2 of BS 7671. In such a case, there would be no requirement for supplementary bonding.

For hot tubs provided with a proprietary three-pin plug, a suitable socket-outlet would need to be provided.

This would need to be located 3m away from the boundary of zone 1 (Regulation 701.512.3), which can pose a problem for the installer as some hot tubs may be provided with an insufficient length of flex to reach the socket-outlet.

One solution to overcome this would be to install a socket-outlet in a cupboard

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or unit, but where this isn’t practicable the installer might opt to fit a suitable joint and enclosure with a degree of protection of at least IPX4, thereby permitting the extension of the flex. This would permit connection to a fused connection unit or socket-outlet.

Hot tubs with a current rating exceeding 13A are normally hard-wired.

Therefore, the installer can fit local isolation by utilising a rotary isolator with a minimum of IPX4 or IPX5 protection at a distance of at least 0.6m from the edge of the hot tub.

Outside installation Installation outside is similar to that for inside. All circuits would be expected to have RCD protection of 30 mA or less, and a socket-outlet rated at least IPX4 placed outside of zone 1, at a distance of 2m to comply with Regulation 702.53 of BS 7671, would suffice.

However, where this isn't possible (e.g. a courtyard with a wall), a socket-outlet could be placed a minimum of 1.25m horizontally from the hot tub and at least 0.3m off the floor with a socket comprising a non-conductive cover or cover plate.

Hot tubs requiring a supply exceeding 13A would again make use of a rotary isolator of at least IPX4 or IPX5 rating a minimum of 2m from the edge of the hot tub with a suitable flex supplying the hot tub.

Specific earthing issues Where a hot tub is to be installed inside a building, the hot tub should be earthed via the cpc in the cable supplying the unit.

Where a SWA cable feeding a socket or rotary isolator is utilised, the steel wire armour is an exposed-conductive-part and it must be earthed using a suitable exterior rated gland. It is essential that a gland earth tag arrangement (and earth tail) be utilised to ensure good continuity

between the armour and the main earthing terminal (MET) of the supply.

For an outside hot tub, the issue of earthing is more complex and depends on the supply earth.

Where the supply is TN-S, it would simply require the earthing to be supplied via the cpc in the cable supplying the hot tub, as for a hot tub installed inside.

However, should the TN-S earthing system be adapted by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) at a later stage to become a TN-C-S (PME), the designer would need to bear in mind the issues that might arise as described for TN-C-S (PME) below.

Specific concerns relating to TN-C-S (PME) systems It is advisable to consult the DNO’s guidance relating to the installation of swimming pools (or similar) as they may have specific requirements or indeed, they may not permit connection to the

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TN-C-S system.

In a TN-C-S system the DNO’s cable utilises a Combined Neutral and Earth (CNE) conductor, otherwise known as a Protective Earth and Neutral (PEN) conductor. When current flows through a conductor a volt drop occurs (V=I.R).

In a PME system, this can give rise to a potential difference between the supply PME earth terminal and true earth. This occurs because load current returns to true earth at the source of the supply through the PEN conductor, which has an impedance. The difference in potential between the MET and the local transformer earthing can vary depending on supply cable lengths and varying loads on the network.

As a consequence, connecting a hot tub (or swimming pool) to the earth terminal of a PME supply can give rise to a small touch voltage between the earth and true earth. Consequently, a person

climbing out of the hot tub and placing their foot on the ground may perceive a disconcerting tingle. This isn't due to a fault with the hot tub and arises for the reason I’ve just described.

In the majority of cases, hot tubs are designed such that there are no accessible exposed-conductive parts or extraneous-conductive-parts for such a voltage to appear between true earth, but it is worth noting that the water in the hot tub will be in contact with a heater, which will be earthed via the MET and thus a voltage may occur between the water and true earth.

Regulation 702.410.3.4.3 therefore recommends: ‘Where a PME earthing facility is used as the means of earthing for the electrical installation of a swimming pool or other basin, it is recommended that an earth mat or earth electrode of suitably low resistance, e.g.

20 ohms or less, be installed and connected to the supplementary protective equipotential bonding’.

No customer is likely to have given consideration to the installation of an earth mat, and achieving such a low resistance reading with an earth rod may be difficult. However, it may be appropriate to install an earth electrode to supplement the earthing facility provided by the distributor, to prevent dangerous touch voltages, in the event of the loss of the main connection to earth.

An alternative option would be to disregard the earthing of the PME supply and simply earth the hot tub utilising an

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earth rod and suitable 30 mA RCD protection. If this option was selected, the cpc in the cable supplying the hot tub and the earthed steel armour should be insulated from the earthing arrangements associated with the hot tub. This could be achieved by glanding the cable into a plastic enclosure or using a plastic gland.

Note that the supply cable cpc and steel armour should still be effectively connected to the MET of the supply.

Regardless of the two options, driving an earth rod into the ground, whilst on the face of it, seems straightforward, isn't without risk. For starters, there’s the risk of striking an electrical supply cable, incoming gas or water main, drainage pipe or hard rock. In both cases, Regulation 411.3.1.1 would need to be kept in mind, which states that ‘simultaneously accessible exposed-conductive-parts shall be connected to the same earthing system individually, in groups or collectively’.

In short, this means that you shouldn't be able to touch any exposed-conductive-parts of another earthing system (including any conductors that be may attached to the main earthing terminal, such as outside taps, pipework etc.) at the same time as any of the hot tub’s earthed parts.

An additional problem associated with the use of an earth rod is the risk of importing a potential as a result of a fault on a nearby PEN conductor (or underground metalwork connected to the

28 Summer 2020

MET of a PME supply) that may be carrying a fault current, or worse, be part of a supply that has suffered an open-circuit PEN conductor. The designer will therefore need to ensure that any earth rod is at least 10m from any such underground metal work to minimise this risk (see BS 7430 Code of practice for earthing of electrical installations for further details).

Ultimately, the designer will need to consider the external environment. Where the hot tub is to be placed on the ground it would be advisable to convert the hot tub to a TT system or utilise the PME system together with an additional rod of suitable resistance, to supplement the distributor’s earth.

What about the danger of open-circuit PEN conductors?

Where an installation forms part of a TN-C-S system, the distributor’s neutral is utilised as the earth, hence the use of the term PEN (Protective Earth and Neutral) or CNE (Combined Neutral and Earth) conductor.

In the event that the PEN conductor is open-circuit due to damage, there is a risk of shock from exposed- conductive-parts and extraneous-conductive-parts connected to the MET of the PME system.

Although it’s unlikely that a hot tub will have any metalwork present for a voltage to appear to true earth, the designer must bear in mind that a potential could be transmitted to the water through the earthing of the heating element. Adopting

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

a TT system for the hot tub greatly reduces this risk.

Where an earth rod had been used to supplement the PME supply, this would reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of shock so the designer may therefore wish to take into account whether or not the user of the hot tub could come into contact with true earth, on exiting the hot tub, or preferably some form of insulation, such as raised timber decking, to reduce the risk further.

Summary To summarise, the installation of a hot tub isn't straightforward and an experienced electrical installation designer should be consulted to review the installation location, earthing system and manufacturer’s instructions.

Installers and suppliers specialising in hot tubs may wish to invest in and consult (the not inexpensive) BS EN 17125:2018 Domestic spas/whirlpool spas/hot tubs, and BS EN 60335-2-60: Specification for Safety of Household and similar appliances: Particular requirements for whirlpool baths and whirlpool spas.

Looking to the future, the electric vehicle market is driving (no pun intended!) the development of new safety devices, which may have other applications, improving safety even further. It'll be interesting to see what impact these innovations ultimately have (see BS 7671 Amendment 1, 722.411.4.1).

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AMENDMENT 1: A BOOST FOR EVCP INSTALLATIONS? Luke Osborne, ECA Energy & Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, discusses the affect that Amendment 1 (and beyond) will have on the EV charging industry.

O

f all the pressing matters jostling for our attention in these unusual times, the climate crisis isn't far from the top. Current government policy reflects this – towards the end of her tenure as PM, Theresa May enshrined in law our national commitment to reduce the UK’s carbon emission to net zero by 2050.

With a ‘green recovery’ being heralded as a key part of our post Covid-19 roadmap, we can expect a big push for further adoption and promotion of EVs, along with many other green technologies and solutions.

At a European level, in early April, 13 countries signed an agreement for the EU Commission to begin work on a recovery plan, with the green transition at its core.

The electrotechnical sector is essential to, and at the heart of, this transition and opportunities abound for the savvy installer.

Our sector is the key to the electrification of transport, plugging green energy into the grid, helping energy consumers to become energy producers via renewable and storage systems, and the integration of smart networks into homes and businesses.

The sharp growth in EV sales and public interest clearly shows that the transition is already well underway.

Routes into EVCP 2019 saw the biggest growth in EV ownership, from around 500 registrations in 2014 to over 5,000. This is in large part thanks to a concerted effort to break down some of the most common barriers to adoption – charging infrastructure, cost, choice, and performance.

At the time of writing, there are 135 types of electric vehicle available, over 273,500 registered electric cars, 8,800 registered electric vans, and over 31,000 electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs) throughout the UK. A range of government schemes also play their part in driving up EV adoption, through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). The Workplace Charging Scheme provides a grant for 75% of EVCP installations, with up to £350 provided per chargepoint. The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme offers a similar grant of 75% of the cost of installation of a chargepoint up to £350.

There are also considerable tax

savings for company car users via benefits in kind, offering 0% tax on EVs from 1 April 2020, then increasing to 1% in 2021 and 2% in 2022. A no-brainer for fleet operators it would seem.

However, there is an elephant in the room with regard to OLEV. Many claimants have experienced payment delays and unfairly refused submissions. OLEV state that they're aware of these issues and are actively working to resolve them.

Meanwhile, we're collating feedback from ECA Members with experience of using the OLEV schemes.

If any more incentives were needed, charge point installations will soon become impossible to ignore as a viable, and potentially lucrative, commercial opportunity. The 2018 iteration of the Energy Performance Building Directive will come into effect through building regulation Part L (expected this year), making EV chargepoints mandatory for new builds, and for existing buildings undergoing extensive renovations.

Furthermore, a ban on internal combustion engines currently set for 2040 will likely be brought forward to 2035 and could be made earlier still.

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PRIZE DRAW

What does Amendment 1 say?

Amendment 1 to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018) was released in February. Its broadest purpose is to allow for advances in EV charging technologies which were not available previously, giving contractors more, arguably safer, options to install and deploy changepoints.

Before Amendment 1, there were three options for the installations of EVCPs: ● Adopting a protective measure which didn’t exist (aka the

‘unicorn’) (722.411.4.1 (iii)), ● Using an isolation transformer for electrical separation

(722.413.1.2), ● Installing a TT system.

Amendment 1 introduced a new option for EV installations through regulation 722.411.4.1 (iv). This allows protection against electric shock in a single-phase installation by use of a single device which essentially monitors the nominal voltage, ensuring it doesn’t exceed +/- 10% of the nominal voltage.

This is likely to be incorporated into many EVCEs going forward. Importantly, this means no groundworks are required.

Future-proof regulations Another key change is the amendment of regulation 722.411.4.1 (iii), which refers to the aforementioned ‘unicorn device’, which now specifically protects against open PEN faults through monitoring the CPC voltage against that of true earth by means of a reference earth electrode.

A ‘future proof’ regulation (722.411.4.1 (v)) now allows for new devices to be developed which satisfy the safety criteria of Amendment 1, without requiring a change in the wiring regulations.

In essence, the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints has now become simpler due to technological advances and will continue to play a key part of electrical contracting works.

WATCH THE ECA'S TECHNICAL TUESDAY SERIES OF WEBINARS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER010

WIN A PLACE AT THE AOS TRAINING ACADEMY

One reader will have the chance to learn the Art of Smart.

L

aunched by Rich Heppell, founder of the Art of Smart electrical installation business and brand, the Art of Smart Home Training Academy will give delegates the opportunity to learn directly from the very best in the smart home business. With many businesses unable to decide on how to take their smart technology to the next level, delegates will receive advice and guidance on the products and techniques to help them take advantage of the increasing consumer demand for smart technology that pushes the boundaries.

To support the training centre launch, Art of Smart will also be creating a national network of installation partners that share the same passion for smart technology. New partners will also have access to all AOS design services, plus a wealth of knowledge to help avoid those common mistakes that businesses can make.

Get more details about the training academy online at: https://aos-group.co.uk/ or on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/AOSacademy

HOW TO ENTER

ENTER THE FREE DRAW TO WIN A PLACE ON THE ART OF SMART TRAINING COURSE BY FILLING OUT THE CONTACT FORM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER011 Deadline for entries is 31/08/2020. Usual T&Cs apply.

32 Summer 2020

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W

hen your customers are looking to enhance their gardens with water features, lighting, plus access to power in the garden for tools, appliances and leisure, there are two main elements to providing power in the garden: safety and, with lighting, design and aesthetics.

Since April 2013 electrical work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, is notifiable to a local building control body where the work includes: the installation of a new circuit, whether at low voltage (typically 230V) or extra-low voltage); or the replacement of a consumer unit or any addition or alteration to a circuit in a special location.

OUTDOOR POWER – THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Scott Brewer, Head of Technical at Knightsbridge, looks at some key safety considerations when it comes to providing power and light outdoors.

Reference points Part P of the Building Regulations applies to fixed electrical installations in dwellings (including gardens and shared amenities in blocks of flats, and any building that shares its electricity supply with a dwelling).

Gardens do not feature among the 18th Edition’s ‘Special Locations’. However, you can refer to Sections 702 (swimming pools), 705 (agricultural and horticultural locations) and 714 (outdoor lighting installations) for analogous guidance.

Switches, sockets and accessories should be purpose-designed and Ingress Protected (IP) against the entry of objects, accidental contact or water. An IP rating consists of two digits: the first from zero to six and the second from zero to nine.

The first refers to the size of object that could enter an enclosure. The second indicates the level of protection against liquids. The highest ratings refer to a capacity for immersion, for such applications as ponds.

For sockets and switches, IP66 is a prudent minimum. This means they're protected against dust, any possibility of contact and powerful jets of water.

Sockets should have integral 30mA RCD protection or be on an RCD/ RCBO protected circuit.

It's not recommended to take the garden circuit off an existing circuit through a fused spur. Ideally, the supply to the garden should be an independent circuit with an independent RCD or RCBO so that, if faults occur, tripping doesn’t affect the rest of the house. Any new circuit becomes notifiable under Part P. Electrical equipment for use with ponds and water features should be IPX7 or higher. Pumps should comply with BS EN 60335-2-41:2003+A2:2010 and ground recess lighting with BS EN

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60598-2-13:2006+A2:2016. Larger ponds may be subject to Section 702 of BS 7671.

To avoid damage from rodents and accidental damage, cables for power and lighting should be either armoured and/or buried in a suitably robust ducting. Oversizing ducting will make cable pulling easier and allow for future-proofing, to the extent of laying extra cable that can extend a scheme later.

Standard twin and earth PVC cables aren't suitable for permanent use outdoors. The sheath of this cable (grey or white) has limited resistance to UV radiation, but isn't specifically designed for installation in direct sunlight or outdoors.

Safety concerns surrounding exterior lighting is the same as those for wiring devices, and Section 714 of BS 7671 will provide guidance, despite it applying to commercial and public installations.

IP ratings for lighting don’t need to be as stringent as wiring devices because of the nature of the products, locations – which may be raised or embedded – and nature of use. They range from IP44 for high level LED security lights, IP54 for wall-mounted luminaires through to IP67 or IP68 for LED spike and groundlights.

Make room for maintenance Maintenance is a key consideration, and provision should be made for it, either by location, power supply (by plug and IP socket) or excess cabling; especially access to lamps for replacement purposes.

The intended usage of garden lighting needs to be considered and the scheme designed accordingly. Does the customer want floods to wash the rear of the house, LED decklights to light a social space, a water feature to be accented through submersible lights, or ambient lighting to highlight a feature such as a statue?

Having established a schematic and the effects desired, the products will suggest themselves.

Quality lighting, thoughtfully designed and installed by professionals can really enhance the aesthetic of a home and its outdoor space. Lighting is a great way of creating versatile spaces both inside and out, especially on good weather days like these.

VIEW THE 2020 KNIGHTSBRIDGE PRODUCT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER012

TAKE THE LEAD

Brendan Beaver, Manager of Metrel UK, recounts a recent customer conversation regarding test leads.

U

sers often ask why we at Metrel insist on using the custom connector on our test leads.

The answer is simple: the design of this special connector extends the useful life of both the tester and the test leads.

The tough moulded plastic connector ensures that the connection pins are parallel with the sockets as they slide into the back of the Metrel tester in a single, smooth action. There is no awkward twisting motion or ‘moments’ as they're sometimes called in design circles.

Furthermore, the force required to make the contact is much lower than with a conventional 4mm safety plug. The use of conventional 4mm safety plugs for test leads not only needs extra force but requires it to be used three times to connect a test lead.

This is not only time wasting, but damaging to the socket block.

Equally, when changing the test lead three connectors have to be removed. This stresses the socket block in the opposite direction and, if right-angled test leads are used, it's almost impossible not to pull the connector along the axis of the connector.

This introduces an even more damaging twisting moment that affects both the internals of the socket block and the test lead’s longevity. The problem manifests itself when you have problems nulling the test leads for continuity measurements.

DOWNLOAD THE METREL PRODUCT BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER013

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RCDS, METAL CONSUMER UNITS & TT INSTALLATIONS NAPIT’s Bill Allan answers another common contractor query.

C

ontractors sometimes ask whether it's necessary to install an RCD in a TT installation before a metal consumer unit (i.e. a ‘front end’ RCD) if all the outgoing sub-main and final circuits are RCD/RCBO protected. This question is possibly based on a time-honoured practice and we appreciate that such practices can linger long in the mind.

A short history lesson Traditionally in TT installations, either a non-metallic consumer unit was fitted or, if a metal consumer unit was installed, a separate ‘front-end’ RCD was installed before the metal consumer unit.

Typically, with a split-board consumer unit having one or more 30 mA RCDs for the final circuits, the front-end RCD would be 100 mA, type S (time-delayed) to permit selectivity between RCDs. However, the cables from the origin of the supply to the input terminals of the RCD were a concern. This was because RCDs don't protect the cables which supply their input terminals. This means that a line to earth fault on the supply side of the front-end RCD could go undetected.

Where a metal consumer unit is installed, there’s always the risk, however small, that the metal enclosure – and other exposed-conductive-parts – will

38 Summer 2020

make contact with a live conductor, causing the metalwork to rise to a potential approaching that of the line voltage of the supply.

The relatively high external earth loop impedance in TT systems might mean that the service cut-out fuse would not operate within the maximum permitted time of five seconds, permitting a dangerously high potential to remain on all the earthed metalwork of the installation.

Consequently, you needed to be sure that any exposed metalwork couldn’t be made live by a fault ‘before’ the RCD, caused either by an insulation fault or by one of the conductors becoming loose.

To address this concern, some manufacturers produced insulating kits for metal consumer units.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations Within the 17th Edition of BS 7671 Regulation 531.4.1 provided the requirements for the installation of a single front-end RCD in TT systems – unless the part of the installation between the origin of the supply and the input terminals of the RCD was protected by the use of Class II equipment (e.g. equipment having supplementary insulation) or equivalent insulation.

In other words, if these cables were adequately protected, there was no requirement for a front-end RCD. Regulation 531.4.1 has been removed from BS 7671:2018.

Amendment 3 of the 17th Edition of BS 7671 also introduced Regulation 421.1.201 which required, ‘consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies’ in domestic premises to have steel enclosures or enclosures constructed from non-combustible material and complying with the requirements of Regulation 132.12 regarding accessibility. Regulation 421.1.201 is still in our present version of BS 7671.

Therefore, this requirement for domestic consumer units to have a steel enclosure and how best to minimise the possibility of the steel enclosure ever becoming live, became a challenge for all involved in domestic installations – a challenge which was exacerbated where TT supplies were used.

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The consumer’s meter tails Where the consumer’s meter tails enter a metal consumer unit, there is a risk that one of the tails could become loose or damaged and make contact with the metal enclosure.

To reduce this risk, meter tails must be protected from any mechanical damage or disturbance. This is achieved by using cables which are: ● insulated and sheathed with a non-metallic sheath (i.e. double insulated), adequately supported by cable clips where necessary (see Fig. 1), or ● insulated and contained within an enclosure such as plastic conduit or trunking in a TT system.

The supplier’s tails, although they are part of the supplier’s equipment, should be adequately supported by cable clips where necessary.

Internal cable links Regulation 531.3.5.3.2.201 requires that, where Class I enclosures are used (that is, earthed metalwork) on TT systems with RCD protection on outgoing circuits, all live conductors on the supply side of the RCD – that is, the internal cable links – must have double or reinforced insulation.

Note 1: to Regulation 531.3.5.3.2.201 draws our attention to the line interconnecting cable links inside the enclosure on the supply side of the RCD. It states that such cables should be insulated and sheathed with a non-metallic sheath or reinforced insulation or be provided with equivalent mechanical protection.

Note 2: to Regulation 531.3.5.3.2.201 states that only interconnecting cables approved by the manufacturer of the enclosure should be used.

Where split consumer units are used with a separate double-pole main switch and 30 mA RCCBs to protect the final circuits, the interconnecting cables which connect the load side of the main switch to the supply side of the RCCBs must be

provided with double or reinforced insulation to comply with Regulation 531.3.5.3.2.201.

If this isn’t the case, this particular arrangement wouldn't be suitable for TT installations because the interconnecting cables wouldn’t be provided with adequate fault protection. If the metal enclosure became live due to a fault, it would cause considerable inconvenience as RCCBs don't have integral overcurrent protection.

A recommended consumer unit arrangement with RCBOs which is suitable for use on TT installations is shown in Fig. 2.

As each RCBO is supplied by a busbar, the risk of the busbar becoming loose and making contact with the metal enclosure is minimal.

Conclusion Do you need to install an RCD on a TT installation before a metal consumer unit if all the outgoing sub-main and final circuits are RCD/RCBO protected? The answer is ‘no’, subject to the conditions mentioned in this article.

However, this brings up another question: does BS 7671 prohibit the use of a front-end RCD on TT installations which have a metal consumer unit? NAPIT doesn’t believe it does, as long as all the relevant requirements, such as correct selectivity of RCDs, are complied with.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NAPIT SCHEME REGISTRATION, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER014

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN Summer 2020 39

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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: I’VE HEARD THAT THERE’S BEEN AN AMENDMENT TO THE IET WIRING REGULATIONS THAT RELATES TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING POINTS. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT ME?

We say: Amendment 1:2020 to the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations was published on 1st February. It amends Section 722 of the regulations and will only affect you directly if you're involved with the installation, testing or maintenance of EV charge points. The main changes relate to protection against electric shock and include requirements for PME systems and additional earthing electrodes. The new regulations give more flexibility on installing earth rods and associated protection devices, and also provide additional guidance on isolation, switching and the selection of RCDs to provide the required level of protection. There are also additional requirements relating to the resistance of earth electrodes, so if you work on or are considering working on EV charge points, you’ll need to be able to measure this. Megger offers dedicated earth resistance measuring instruments such as the DET3TC, but you may also want to consider Megger’s latest MFT1741+ multifunction installation tester. This includes earth testing facilities, along with an EV charge point test setting for the 6 mA DC test and a new Confidence Meter feature, that makes loop testing faster, easier and more convenient.

DOWNLOAD A MEGGER MFT1741+ TECHNICAL DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER015 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN Summer 2020 41

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TRAINING ROUND UP

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC LAUNCHES 'TRAINING HUB'

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chneider Electric has announced the launch of a learning series aimed at training and upskilling workers. The series includes a number of on-demand webinars with a range of industry experts, focusing on a mixture of technical content and wider industry trends. The hub itself will span multiple markets, with a particular focus on key segments including healthcare and data centre markets.

Examples of the webinars which will be included within the hub are: Coordination of LV electrical distribution This seminar addresses the coordination techniques specified by BSEN 60947-2 and provides attendees with a better understanding of cascading, selectivity and limitation effects of circuit breakers.

Customer architectures This CPD will introduce customer

architectures and how, by combining functions in an integrated way, design efficiencies can be realised.

In order to reference the presentation, a data centre application will be considered including philosophy, resilience, electrical, mechanical and digital architectures.

The webinars will focus on all aspects of a supply chain delivery – from the design elements, through to construction and when the building is finally in operation.

REGISTER FOR THE SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC ONLINE PARTNER PORTAL AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER016

SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

H

ager is keen to remind electrical professionals that help and support is on hand for those that have recently returned to work, or have yet to do so. Many contractors and wholesalers are still limited when it comes to a typical day as normal work patterns have altered. It is therefore important that the industry and manufacturers remain highly committed to supporting electrical professionals through the current waters.

As a prime example, Hager continues to offer a combination of helpful on- and offline tools and resources so that access to essential technical information, learning and development and connections to colleagues in the industry via social media, remain available.

Experts at hand Hager’s technical team remains available to assist with technical and product queries both via telephone and online.

Support online Hager’s wide range of online tools is helping the trade keep up-to-date with information, news and business updates. For those contractors who are undertaking work, the company’s eCat mobile App provides digital access to product information, technical data, descriptions and trade prices, while other online resources, including advisory white

42 Summer 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

papers, in-depth product brochures and BIM support can be accessed via Hager’s website to help inform product selection.

Connected on social The #HagerGang community on social media allows electrical contractors to connect with like-minded individuals and Picture courtesy of Max Newland @MaxN19 stay up-to-date with the latest news regarding Hager and the wider industry. It's a great way to keep in touch, swap experiences and pass on tips.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER017

PE Page Grid_Layout 1 02/06/2020 10:33 Page 1

PB page grid_Layout 1 21/05/2020 14:02 Page 1 NEW ELEX MAG AD 285 PE_Layout 1 03/03/2020 11:38 Page 1

THE TRADESHOW FOR PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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NEXT SHOWS Westpoint Arena, Exeter: Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th April 2020 FOR THE VERY LATEST INFORMATION GO TO: WWW.ELEXSHOW.INFO Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate: Thursday 14th & Friday 15th May 2020 Featuring:

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045_PE_SUMMER20_Layout 1 06/06/2020 18:37 Page 45

PRIZE DRAW

ASK OVIA OV VIA

®

WIN A C.K ARMOURSLICE CABLE STRIPPER

D

Four lucky readers will bag a brand new tool.

esigned specifically for professional electricians, the award-winning C.K ArmourSlice SWA Cable Stripper (T2250) provides a fast, clean and safe method of stripping SWA cable, for a perfect cut every time.

The usual method for stripping SWA cable can be slow and cumbersome and is often carried out by using a hacksaw and trimming knife. It can also result in an uneven cut of the wire strands, causing potential damage to the inner conductors.

ArmourSlice offers the perfect solution, and is claimed to be 50% faster than conventional SWA stripping methods, making it a must-have product for electricians. C.K’s regular collaboration with trade professionals also gives great insight into what works best and ensures that innovative products are constantly developed.

ArmourSlice has been part of that process, successfully combining a high quality construction, with great features and benefits, to ensure work is completed quickly and effectively.

Featuring a robust metal alloy body for exceptional strength and durability, ArmourSlice also has a wide cable clamp for perfect blade-to-cable alignment to ensure precise cutting, together with a handy integrated spare blade holder.

THE COLUMN WHERE YOU GET TO PUT YOUR LIGHTING QUESTIONS TO THE HEAD OF THE OVIA LIGHTING BUSINESS, MIKE COLLINS, AND HIS TEAM OF TECHNICAL EXPERTS. Why are most of the downlights available now 'dimmable'? Do all houses now have dimmers in them throughout?

Q.

That’s a very good question. Up until just a couple of years ago it was standard practice for manufacturers to have both dimmable and non-dimmable downlights on the wholesalers’ shelves.

As the LED market has grown and the price differential between dimmable and non-dimmable downlights has become significantly reduced, there has been a collective move to offer a dimmable downlight as standard. As well as helping to minimise stock holdings for wholesalers, it provides the end user with all options when it comes to install. The fitting will still operate under normal switch loads or down the line if the client would like dimmable fittings, it would just be a case of replacing the standard switch with a dimmer switch.

All products in Ovia’s Inceptor and FlameGuard downlight ranges are offered as dimmable as standard.

They're fully compliant and have the corresponding test certification to meet the very latest regulations. In line with recent new guidelines issued by the NHBC, Ovia has completed further testing on its fire-rated downlights for fire resistance compliance with all ceiling types – solid timber, I-joists and metal web joists - to demonstrate that these satisfy the new guidelines.

Thanks to Eric from Mindhand Lighting for this month's question. As is the case with every question we publish, a special edition Ovia travel mug is on its way to him!

PUT YOUR QUESTION TO THE ASK OVIA TEAM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER019 VISIT THE ASK OVIA MICROSITE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER020

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YOU CAN ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A C.K ARMOURSLICE TOOL BY FILLING OUT THE CONTACT FORM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER018 Deadline for entries: 31/08/2020. Usual T&Cs apply.

01827 300 640 ww w.oviaUK.com www.oviaUK.com

046_PE_SUMMER20_Layout 1 06/06/2020 18:39 Page 46

NSIGHTS POWERING THE FUTURE Emma Segelov, EMEA Marketing Operations Manager at MK Electric, advises on the specification of safe, effective and hygienic wiring devices for educational settings.

In today’s digitally connected society, mobile devices are commonplace across schools and campuses for both academic and recreational purposes.

With nearly 500,000 international students estimated to be studying in the UK, charging solutions are also needed beyond the conventional three-pin switchsocket outlet.

So, how can electricians provide a power and data distribution system to meet these needs?

Floorboxes provide access to the power and data distribution system without the restrictions of a wall mounted power or data outlet and are available in a range of configurations to suit raised or screed floor types.

For areas of high footfall, such as reception areas and corridors, a durable product is needed to withstand the pressure of thousands of students going to and from lectures each day. MK Electric floorboxes have a high load bearing performance tested to EN50085-2-2, and can handle a 5,000N load.

On safety, these floorboxes also have several features built-in, such as self-closing lids, which help eliminate trip hazards and the risk of damage to the products. The use of tethered lids

and robust cord caps ensures that the floorbox can withstand frequent usage and, as an assurance of quality and reliability, all MK Electric floorboxes also come with a five-year guarantee as standard.

For overseas students, MK Electric offers certain non-British standard switchsocket outlets and USB charging outlets. USB charging outlets offer the benefit of negating the use of adapters to charge devices in a conventional switchsocket outlet.

They're also convenient for all students who need power on the go, but don't want to be restricted to carrying their bulky mains power chargers around.

Another consideration is how wiring devices can contribute to a hygienic environment. Educational institutions have a duty of care over their pupils, including ensuring that their classrooms and lecture theatres are

clean and free from potentially harmful bacteria. This is primarily achieved with a robust cleaning regime and regular handwashing, but the use of antibacterial products also has an important part to play.

MK Electric’s Logic PlusT range is produced using urea formaldehyde; a high-grade thermoset material that has similar intrinsic properties to antimicrobial additives and kills up to 99.9% of certain bacteria, including MRSA, E. coli, salmonella and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In terms of cable management systems, MK Electric's Prestige 3D Antibac Blue uses an antibacterial additive within the PVCu, which is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is compliant with the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD)2.

This has over a 99.9% kill rate against MRSA, E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae as confirmed by independent laboratory testing collected over 24 hours, and can be specified alongside Logic Plus to provide a complete antibacterial solution.

There is no loss of effectiveness where the trunking lengths are cut on-site or if the surface becomes scuffed or scratched. It is also fluorescent under UV light for easy product identification and client confidence.

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

mkelectric.co.uk

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Ben Curry of Electrical Innovations looks at why adding simple smart home installation jobs can provide a big boost to your electrical business.

SEVEN REASONS TO MAKE A SMART BUSINESS DECISION

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mart home technology is a buzz subject at the moment. It seems that (along with EV charging) most blogs, magazine articles or social media channels include information about smart home electrics.

When I talk to other electricians about whether they're offering and installing smart home products, a large number have turned their noses up at the prospect of taking on a 'DIY' job. Indeed, while fitting a Ring doorbell or a Hue lightbulb may be something that the customer CAN do themeslves, this doesn't mean that they actually WANT to.

I've been interested in new technology for as long as I can remember, so when products like Nest thermostats and other 'smart'

devices started to become popular I jumped at the chance to kit out my own home. From there it was a natural next step to add them as a service in our business and we've not looked back.

If you still need some convincing, here are six reasons as to why we love these

jobs and why you should consider adding them to your own business portfolio:

1

INCREASED HOURLY RATE

What's the going rate for an electrician? £200-£300 a day?

If you tell a customer that your hourly rate is £150 they might wonder how you can charge so much for an hour's labour. However, tell the same customer that you can install their smart thermostat for £150 and their response will be to ask how soon you can come round to do the job!

How long does it take to install one?

About an hour. Amazon, John Lewis and Curry’s all offer installation at the point of sale. I'd recommend you check those prices to see what the going rate for an installation might be.

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

2

SOMETHING FOR 'SMALL WORKS' DAYS OR AN ‘ON THE WAY HOME’ JOB

Due to the simple nature of these installations, they're easy to book in around other jobs.

After the school run has ended might be a perfect time for your customer. It's also a good time for you to pop in on your way home from other jobs that day.

I often feel that when a customer comments that they “can’t find a good electrician”, it's more that they mean: “I can’t get an electrician to come out for a small job”. You can take advantage of this type of works and schedule regular 'small works' days in.

3

EASY MARKETING

One of the main 'hidden' advantages of fitting smart products is that the brands will essentially do the marketing work for you.

A customer will often come to us knowing exactly what they want, or they may have even purchased the product already. You'll also be able to get your hands on marketing materials from many of these brands.

An example of the effectiveness of brand marketing was seen last year during the Black Friday sales, where we were completely overrun with installation-only enquiries from customers.

4

UP-SELL OPPORTUNITIES

While you're fitting any kind of smart device it's a great opportunity to ask if your customer needs any more work doing. How about another wireless chime, or a camera for the back of the house?

Most of the smart devices on the market are part of a bigger product range, so it’s easy to offer a useful additional product.

Bear in mind that you're also now in the customer's house and can advise them on

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any other electrical issues they may have.

When did they last have their electrics checked? Do they have working smoke detectors? Do they need any repairs?

5

YOUR TARGET CUSTOMERS

If you ever talk to a marketing expert about advertising, you'll quickly come on to the subject of identifying your customer avatar. This is basically the type of person who would represent your ideal client.

If you're anything like us, then you like to work for families in their 30-60’s, with a high household income, drives a nice car and probably has an Amazon Prime account.

Guess which type of customer is also buying smart home products?

These devices are marketed at the same customers that you like to work for, so when you get a foot in the door by fitting a voice controlled light switch, you'll have a great chance to become their go-to electrician in the future.

6

FREE TRAINING

Many of the smart home product manufacturers will offer training on their devices and it is often the case that these training courses have some overlap into other products or the day-to-day running of your business.

Learning about your new smart device will allow you at the same time to learn some additional key skills. One good example is thermostats. Many electricians aren't familiar with heating systems, so completing a free online course about installing smart thermostats will also improve your skills when working with a Combi Boiler, Y-Plans and S-Plans.

7

REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The type of customer that buys a smart home device will have read reviews and done their homework beforehand.

This is an ideal opportunity for you to

“WE USE AND INSTALL A NUMBER OF BRANDS, INCLUDING GOOGLE NEST, RING DOORBELLS/CAMERAS, PHILLIPS HUE LIGHTS, SONOS SPEAKERS AND YALE ALARMS. WE ALSO FIT VARIOUS 'SMART' SOCKETS AND THERMOSTATS.”

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

request a review of your installation work, which you can use on your website. Post a photo of the job on your Facebook page, tag your customer and share their review.

You never know, one small job can lead to many more.

How we make the most of the 'smart' opportunity available to us In our business, Electrical Innovations, we advertise all kinds of smart home works as a main part of our services. We started by fitting products at home, and then progressed to doing the same for our customers.

As a business, we already carried out a lot of boiler installations, so going through the process of becoming a Nest Pro was the obvious next step (Nest was just a thermostat back then). We've also progressed into installing professional alarm systems as well and have found a couple of great manufacturers to work with who have provided us with free training.

Not a week goes by without a lead coming in via our Facebook page for a ‘DIY’ product installation. Many of these initial jobs have gone on to become long-term clients that we have returned to many times for various works. All of this generates more reviews for us, which in turn helps to bring in even more work.

“POST A PHOTO OF THE JOB ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE, TAG YOUR CUSTOMER AND SHARE THEIR REVIEW. ONE SMALL JOB CAN LEAD TO MANY MORE” CONTACT AND FOLLOW BEN AT: www.elec-inn.co.uk twitter.com/elecinn instagram.com/elecinn www.linkedin.com/in/ben-curry/ facebook.com/elecinn

50 Summer 2020

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Andy Douglas, MD at Timeguard, takes a look at some of the options professional electricians can offer to help customers make the most of their garden space.

Guard-en centre

I

f there was ever a spring to be locked down at home, it was this year's. The magnificent weather has made those who are lucky enough to have outdoor space more grateful for it than ever. Gardens have been tended, outbuildings repaired and re-painted. Now it’s time for those finishing touches that call for a professional electrician.

As you'll be working outside the main home, there should be no problems with maintaining the social distancing rules currently in place, so winning this sort of work should be relatively easy.

52 Summer 2020

What can you offer?

Summer months should mean warmer al fresco evenings and the right lighting can add a lot of extra magic after dark. Check out the latest LEDs – the harsh traditional flood lights have been replaced by sleek slimline LEDs and ultra-compact designs which double as automatic security and manually-controlled courtesy lighting.

Unusual and advanced designs like the Timeguard ‘Evo’ range with the automatic PIR switch hidden within the main casing give you more options.

Remember that some people want to sit indoors and look out onto the garden, so think about offering them RF remote control of their outdoor lighting. A particularly neat option for them is the Timeguard RF control fob. Homeowners can use more than one of these battery powered devices per compatible PIR, as handheld devices or discretely fitted behind a standard light switch plate.

Landscaped steps and decking are increasingly popular and you can add super-slimline, compact surface mounted IP65 LED step lights for decoration and safety. Look for double-insulated luminaires that don’t require an earth and surface mount back plates so there’s no need to channel out the wall or step. You

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

should be able to find a choice of shapes – square, oblong or round – in your wholesaler catalogue. If not, ask them to order in for you.

Safety first Electric barbeques and garden tools all need regular mains power, and purpose-installed outlets are always going to be preferable to leads trailing through doors and windows – we’ve all seen it!

If a customer already has outdoor sockets, it’s worth giving them a health check. You’ll probably find shocking examples of loose casings and missing lids with the socket exposed to the elements and – more importantly – that any IP protection may be long gone. They probably look a bit shabby too. There's plenty of choice when looking for replacement sockets but, if one of the main reasons you're replacing is that the

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“IF A CUSTOMER ALREADY HAS OUTDOOR SOCKETS, IT’S WORTH GIVING THEM A HEALTH CHECK.” old ones look so bad anyway, then go the extra mile for your customer and choose a replacement that looks stunning and can be relied on to stay that way.

The polycarbonate windows in the Weathersafe Vision from Timeguard will keep their looks and stay clear for years, so users can see the on/off status of the supply at a glance. Look for good neoprene seals that will keep the IP protection intact and think about adding extra functionality to outdoor power outlets with models that include timers, RCD protection and even Wi-Fi control from your mobile or tablet.

No compromise on RCDs A quick reminder to readers that there are still some dated designs of RCD sockets being sold off from old stock. You should look for compliance with BS 7288:2016: Specification for residual current devices with or without overcurrent protection for socket-outlets for household and similar uses. This latest standard was published in November 2016, revising, and updating BS 7288:1990. Compliant devices will have a dual-flag indication system to show whether the power is live RED – ON, or Green – OFF when the RCD is tripped, so there's no room for confusion.

DOWNLOAD THE TIMEGUARD PRODUCT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER021

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

TESTING TIMES

PE catches up with Paul Coy, the inventor of the Vexbox variable extension box, to find out why there was no playing with fire when introducing a new member to the product family.

I

t's hard to believe it was almost two years ago that PE first reported news that myself and the Vexbox team were working on a intumescent version of the original Vexbox system. As you can imagine, gaining the relevant testing and safety approvals for any product related to fire safety is not a simple or quick process and since the original report went into the magazine we've had to make a few modifications to the product to meet both testing and production requirements, prior to subjecting the system to a fire resistance test, in accordance with EN1364-1.

What's changed?

The two most significant changes we had to make were a) the design of a 'backplate', and b) an alternative method of applying the fibre glass tape, to prevent the flow of char into the wall void.

The principal purpose of the backplate (which is now called a 'Vexplate') is to increase the volume of intumescent material in the box, thereby allowing for a denser barrier of char to form in the box, in the event of a fire situation.

One of the benefits of having to introduce the Vexplate is that we now have a standalone product that increases the fire resistance of ANY correctly installed

back box. Additionally, it's a product that can be used to help installations comply with Building Regulations when boxes are installed on both sides of a stud wall, in the same compartment.

The method of wrapping the fibre glass tape around the template after the box has been formed is to make sure the tape is continuous around the entire perimeter of the template. When the tape was embedded in the compound, it had to be cut to allow the material to hinge. When cut, this allowed the char to escape at the corners into the wall void.

What testing took place?

It was established that the most appropriate fire resistance test for this product would be in accordance with EN1364-1, which can be very onerous to achieve.

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To carry out a fire resistance test, a sample of a wall measuring 3 x 3m has to first be constructed within a steel framework, which is designed to clamp on to the furnace. The construction of the test wall has to replicate the construction of the actual wall, in which the product to be tested will be installed.

As there are numerous specifications for stud wall construction (dependant upon it's location and purpose) it would be impossible to test every different type of construction. We decided, therefore, to select the most common wall type – two sheets of standard wallboard on either side of 70mm "C" section metal studs.

The product to be tested is then fitted in to the test wall.

Again, in common with the wall construction, there’s an infinite amount of ways a socket box can be incorrectly installed in a partition wall. To this end, we installed the Vexbox system at its full level

of extension (35mm). As well as a variation in extension, there are variations in heights at which the outlets are installed.

The actual test requires that a sample is installed at a minimum height of 2,500mm from the bottom of the wall. This is where the furnace temperature is highest. In addition, we installed sockets at 1,200 AFFL and 450mm AFFL as these are both standard installation heights. As well as variations in heights and depths, we also installed half of the boxes in the ‘worst case scenario’ – back-to-back in the same compartment.

The wall is then clamped onto the furnace where the temperature is increased to 950˚C for the duration of the test. A standard test time is 30 minutes, or 60 minutes plus 10%.

Pass or fail?

There are three criteria which determine a pass or fail:

Insulation The insulation test is to ensure that the temperature on any part of the external (unexposed) shall not increase by more than 140˚C. Integrity The integrity test stipulates that the structural integrity of the wall must be maintained and gives the maximum permitted sizes of any cracks that may form.

Lint cloth test The lint cloth test is carried out if it appears that the cloth could be ignited by hot gases or embers escaping from either the wall or the product being tested.

On completion of testing, a comprehensive test report is written, detailing all of the parameters of the test.

This includes wall construction, how/where the boxes were fitted and the temperatures of all the themocouples during the duration of the test.

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE INTUMESCENT VEXBOX IN ACTION AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER022

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PRODUCTS ROUND UP

Make difficult corners a thing of the past Launched recently by All LED, this range of F1 connectors for LED strip lighting promises to make navigating difficult corners a thing of the past for installers.

We all know that LED strips have the potential to drive you round the bend! But what happens if you dislike soldering and want to run LED strip around corners?

All LED has a solution: a smart innovative terminal that allows you to connect strip-to-cable, strip-to-strip and

cable-to-cable using just a screwdriver.

The two versions have got you covered too, with both a live end and 90° variation available.

Designed to take 10mm and 8mm wide LED strips, you can connect cable directly to strip, and join two strips together all from the same unit. Working best with solid core cables like twin and earth, you can terminate low voltage connections directly onto LED strips without using a soldering iron.

The real trump card, however, is the revolutionary L shape 90° connector from All LED that allows 8mm and 10mm LED strips to be run around corners – something that was simply unheard of before in the LED strip industry.

GET MORE DETAILS ON ALL LED'S LED STRIP LIGHTING AND RANGE OF CONNECTORS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER023

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PRODUCTS ROUND UP

Get those outdoor heating areas ready for summer Following a very disruptive period for the hospitality market, infrared heating expert Tansun is advising venues to get their outdoor seating areas ready for customers as lockdown guidelines begin to relax across the country. Indeed, beer gardens and outdoor areas will be the first areas to get the go-ahead to reopen.

It was recently announced that businesses with licences for outdoor seating will be guided about how best to initiate a restricted reopening as part of the first phase of exiting lockdown.

Experts have also previously stated that the virus appears to spread less easily outdoors because of the ventilation

factor and UV rays making outdoor spaces less problematic.

Installing efficient and effective outdoor heating to make areas both comfortable and inviting as well as being affordable for businesses is one of the ways they can do this. Outdoor heating also brings the benefit of helping to maximise potential occupancy and trade on cooler evenings and on milder days.

Tansun’s high quality heaters use advanced infrared shortwave technology, which is not affected by air or wind movement, and is designed to directly target those who require the warmth. The outdoor infrared heaters are fully IP rated,

meaning they’re weatherproof, and with the range of bracketry that Tansun offers they can easily be mounted and installed into any outdoor area, regardless of size.

This makes them perfect for use in social distancing areas.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT TANSUN’S OUTDOOR HEATING RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER038

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PRODUCTS ROUND UP

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC Thorsman Work Lights The Thorsman hand-held work light is designed to provide natural light for both indoor or outdoor projects. It uses the latest LED technology to produce 280 Lm with low energy consumption. Flexible built-in features include a magnetic mounting point for hands-free usage, and durable casing built to withstand accidental dropping shocks if it does happen to slip out of your hands. There's also a built-in rechargeable battery with a total battery life of 50,000 hours. A head-torch that includes similar features and functions, is also available.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER024

C.K TOOLS Japanese Pry Bar 10” Designed to complete a multitude of tasks quickly and effectively, C.K’s new premium quality Japanese Pry Bar 10” (T4312) also conveniently slots into any tool bag for easy transportation. Hot forged from a carbon steel alloy and hardened for exceptional strength and durability, this superior Japanese Pry Bar features a 46mm wide tip for precise removal with minimal damage of mouldings, skirting boards and cavity wall nails. It's also perfect for quickly prising apart floor boards and other materials. Precision engineered for leverage, the unit combines optimum performance and superior durability, with a solid construction built to withstand pressure and wear.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER025

ESP Emergency Light Test Switch ESP’s Duceri emergency light test switches are designed to test batteries, lamps and duration function of emergency lighting luminaires in accordance with current emergency lighting standard BS5266, helping building owners and responsible persons to maintain compliance. These automatic, key-operated emergency lighting test switches are permanently wired to the emergency luminaire supply. The key switch is used to interrupt the supply for a pre-programmed period of time. At the end of that period, the supply to the luminaries is automatically reinstated, so there’s no risk of depleting the batteries in the emergency fitting by leaving them connected for prolonged periods.

There are two models to choose from – standard LED display or countdown digital display. They each feature four pre-programmed test intervals – 10, 30, 60 and 180 minutes. There's also the option for an audio buzzer alert for completion of duration test.

WATCH A SUPPORTING VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER026

IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA Student Safe Isolation Kit Newly launched by Ideal Industries is a Student Safe Isolation Kit, designed especially for trainee electricians. The kit includes a Vol-Con Digital Voltage Tester, which tests for both AC and DV voltage. It provides a visual and audible alert for continuity and non-contact voltage and features low impedance to eliminate ghost voltages. Also included is a medium circuit breaker lockout kit, a universal MCB lockout device, a safety padlock, re-usable lockout tags and a marker pen, all contained in a handy pouch.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER027

60 Summer 2020

SCOLMORE Antimicrobial Wiring Accessories Infection control is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare sector.

Anyone operating within and supplying to this sector is required to work with products that meet the demands for hygiene and safety, and that includes electrical products. Scolmore’s antimicrobial wiring accessories – Mode, Mode Part M and Polar – are all manufactured using Urea Formaldehyde, which has similar inherent properties to antimicrobial additives that inhibit the growth of infectious diseases. When independently tested, all products achieved a 99.99% kill off rate across all four types of the strains of bacteria – MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella Pneumonia.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

WATCH A SUPPORTING VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER028

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HAMILTON LITESTAT Wide Rocker Switches Hamilton Litestat has announced that it will make wide rocker switches an option within its designer collection of wiring accessories, for the UK market and beyond, during 2020. The switches will be available across all five Linea CFX collections: Duo CFX, Georgian CFX, Perlina CFX, Rondo CFX and Scala CFX, as well as the ever-popular Hartland CFX and Sheer CFX collections. Configurations include 1, 2 and 3-gang switches, as well as 1 gang Push-To-Make (PTM), double pole and intermediate wide rockers. Catering for all interior design schemes too, the solutions will be available in 12 on-trend metallic finishes, including popular bronzes and brasses, as well as gloss white, to deliver the perfect finishing flourish.

VIEW THE HAMILTON CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER029

CED Portable A/C Units Airmaster desk and floor fans have been at the heart of the summer cooling market for over 25 years, with an ever expanding and improving range of products. The traditional premium range includes 9, 12 and 16” table fans, 16” pedestal and pull cord wall fans, plus a 30” tower fan with timer – all with three speed options (except the 9”, which is two speed). Last year the range was boosted with a comprehensive economy offering, featuring a similar range of products but with the addition of a 6” desk/clip-on fan and a remote-control version of the pedestal fan. Antique chrome 12” table and 16” pedestal fans plus an 8” high velocity floor fan add decorative options to the current range, which now features two portable air conditioning units – 9000 and 12000 BTU – both with remote control as standard. All products are CE approved, LOT 20 compliant and certified to BS3456 and BS EN 60335.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER030

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PRODUCTS ROUND UP

OVIA LIGHTING Inceptor Iona Ovia’s Inceptor Iona is a range of 20 and 30W LED professional downlights, which provides contractors with perfect low maintenance replacements for CFL and PL lighting. There are three versions available – standard non-dimmable, 1-10V dimmable, and switch dimmable – with the dimmable versions also offering an emergency option. The product includes a 3 pole Flow connector on non-dimmable versions and a 7 pole Flow connector on dimmable versions, allowing for quick and easy installation, as well as testing and maintenance. Iona benefits from a two-section design – the engine and bezel. With six engines and four bezels offered in this modular design, it offers a large number of options to suit a range of applications. The interchangeable twist fit bezels are available in two styles – downlight bezel and drop glass bezel – and in two different sizes for a variety of fittings. The product also includes a CTA (Colour Temperature Adjustment) switch with a range of 2700K, 4000K and 6500K, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications. A five-year warranty is offered as standard.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER031

GIRA KNX Mini Komfort Temperature Sensor Gira has expanded the KNX Mini Komfort presence detector to include a new integrated temperature sensor, meaning the Gira KNX Mini Komfort presence detector can now respond to both thermal motion and light. Intuitive by design, the product not only adjusts light according to how many people are in a room, but thanks to the new update it can now measure the room temperature and automatically calibrate system settings to the most comfortable climate available. Designed to detect even the smallest of movements, the user can automatically control various functions in the KNX system, with highlights including room temperature control, lighting and blind control, subtle and unobtrusive design plus indoor/outdoor use.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER032

62 Summer 2020

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

MAKITA XGT 40V Max Cordless Range The XGT range of machines from Makita – including combi drills, grinders, rotary hammers, impact drivers, circular saws and reciprocating saws – offers high output, durability and fast charge times, keeping you working for longer without disruption.

XGT 40V Max is a new standalone cordless battery platform, featuring its own range of tools, lithium-ion batteries and chargers. It has been built around three concepts: 1. High power With 40V Max power, XGT is the most powerful battery platform in the Makita range. The increased output is ideal for industrial, higher demand applications. In fact, XGT, cordless machines offer output that can genuinely rival the high power of corded tools and even some petrol engine machines.

2. Tough design The new XGT batteries have been engineered with durable design features to minimise damage and withstand tough environments. The heavy duty outer casing and cell holder, along with the shock absorbing housing, protect the battery if dropped.

Each battery also has an IPX4 rating, which means that it is splash- and shower-proof, and water ingress is limited.

3. Smart technology To optimise battery performance and charge times, XGT features Makita’s unique smart system technology. This in-built programme allows digital communication between the battery and the charger, as well as the battery and the tool, to provide protection against issues such over discharge and overheating.

To launch the new XGT range, Makita UK will also be offering a new redemption deal on selected models, so contractors can claim an extra 40V battery FREE of charge!

VIEW THE MAKITA XGT INFOCATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER033

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MEGGER TC3231 Thermal Camera The Megger TC3231 thermal camera is a versatile tool that greatly aids the inspection of electrical installations by quickly revealing poor connections and other issues that give rise to excessive heating. The TC3231 has been designed with ease of use in mind, to provide quick and accurate surface temperature measurements from -20 to +300°C. To easily identify problems and pinpoint their locations, an image blending function is featured. When this is used, the camera takes an ordinary photograph as well as an infrared image, before blending the two so that the exact site of the problem can readily be seen. As well as centre-spot temperature measurement, the thermal camera offers simultaneous hot and cold spot tracking with temperatures and locations updated continuously on the display. The TC3231 has a 2.2â&#x20AC;? colour TFT LCD display, storage for 6,000 images on the included micro SD card and rechargeable batteries.

DOWNLOAD A PRODUCT DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER034

CP ELECTRONICS EBDHS-B-CB-DD PIR Detector Part of the EBDHS range of PIR presence detectors, the new EBDHS-B-CB-DD (Direct Dim) has been developed for high bay lighting control in areas with demanding spaces and increased mounting heights. Utilising Casambi wireless technology, the unit is responsive to the constant shift of an organisation's lighting needs by being programmable and adjustable to produce an exceptionally accurate detection beam.

The EBDHS-B-CB-DD offers an advanced detection range up to 40m at a 15m mounting height, with a maximum mounting height of up to 20m, dependent on operating parameters. Its multi-pyro design offers greater sensitivity without false triggering, whilst the unique lens technology delivers high sensitivity within the detection range. Ideal for high bay installations in industrial and warehouse applications, this IP40 rated PIR detector provides daylight and occupancy sensing, plus many other features.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER035

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Products IN PRACTICE

sponsored by www.electricalcharity.org

Scolmore helps with infection control at new hospital unit Opened earlier this year, the newly expanded Same Day Emergency Care Unit at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards provides a vital service for patients who don’t require an overnight stay in hospital.

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

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

Scolmore’s white moulded and Mode Part M wiring accessories are manufactured using Urea Formaldehyde, which has similar inherent properties to antimicrobial additives that inhibit the growth of infectious diseases.

Responsible for specifying the Mode and GridPro products for the hospital unit was Mark Sellens, Electrical Project Manager at Booker & Best electrical contractors, who said: “The Mode range really was an obvious choice on a number of levels that were important for this particular project.

“It's a great quality range and represents very good value, which is essential in helping to meet budget commitments. It comes with a 20-year guarantee which is pretty unique in the industry and also scored highly from an infection control point of view, with its antimicrobial properties.”

Kegworth Care Home benefits too Another facility that has benefited from Scolmore's equipment is the Mill Lodge Care Home in Kegworth. Mill Lodge provides secure inpatient care for adults.

The property is a single storey building made up of four main wings and comprising 27 bedrooms, four main corridors, kitchens and dining facilities and a range of offices and clinical support rooms.

Scolmore’s Deco Plus switches and sockets in a black nickel finish feature in the bedrooms – with three light switches and double sockets in each room – as well as in all the corridors and nurses’ stations. For the main

64 Summer 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

kitchen, four satellite kitchens and offices, the Click Mode range was installed.

Simon Bell from SB Electrical, the contractor responsible for the specification and installation of Scolmore’s products, commented: “I’ve been using the Click Mode range of wiring accessories since the range was launched. The flexibility to integrate different inserts onto a plate was quite unique at the time and I can’t remember a time when I used anything else.”

DOWNLOAD THE SCOLMORE MODE RANGE PRODUCT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ER036

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CAUGHT ON

C A M E R A SOCIAL SNAPS! Gavin Smith (via Twitter): Two crackers in one day! Hob on 2.5 twin (no earth) and a shaver light fused on both neutral and earth!

Steve Hewish (via Twitter): This is just one of five sockets that I unscrewed (there were 20 sockets on the ring) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all had poorly connected CPCs which gave me a CPC end-to-end of 23 Ohms. A perfect example of why testing is important!

Matt (via Instagram): Check this out for a quality installation!

Graham Peace (via Instagram): I visited a domestic site which had apparently been inspected by a previous electrician. I eventually followed the 'neutral fault' cable to behind a kitchen cupboard and found this...!

Electricalcm_uk (via Instagram): Full rewire required I'd say...!

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN Summer 2020 65

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ADVERTISER INDEX ALL LED Ltd.................................... Outside Back Cover

Lux General Lighting Ltd.................................... Page 61

BG Electrical Ltd.................................................. Page 30

Makita (UK) Ltd ..................................................... Page 51

Chint Europe (UK) Ltd........................................ Page 40

MAN Truck and Bus UK....................................... Page 9

CP Electronics Ltd .............................................. Page 59

Megger Ltd ........................................................... Page 33

C-TEC Ltd.............................................................. Page 29

Metrel UK Ltd ....................................................... Page 24

Cudis Ltd ................................................................ Page 51

NAPIT ...................................................................... Page 21

DANLERS Ltd ....................................................... Page 63

Niglon Ltd...................................................... Pages 26,27

Electrical Contractorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association (ECA) ..... Page 37

Ovia Lighting ........................................................ Page 34

Electro-wind Ltd .................................................. Page 63

Quickwire Ltd.................................... Inside Front Cover

ELEX ....................................................................... Page 44

Safe-Connect ....................................................... Page 57

Elite Security Products Ltd ............................... Page 48

Schneider Electric ................................................. Page 6

Emelux Lighting Equipment ............................. Page 53

Scolmore International Ltd ............................... Page 40

Forum Lighting Solutions .................................... Page 4

Seaward Electronic Ltd ...................................... Page 18

Gira ......................................................................... Page 43

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

Hager Ltd .............................................................. Page 34

Test Instrument Solutions Ltd .......................... Page 10

Hamilton Litestat .................................................. Page 17

TSB Bank plc......................................................... Page 13

Hyco Manufacturing Ltd.................................... Page 63

Tysoft Software Ltd ............................................ Page 57

IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA ................................. Page 14

UNICRIMP Ltd ...................................................... Page 54

Lewden Palazzoli Group ................................... Page 54

Wise Controls....................................................... Page 63

Logic4training ...................................................... Page 57

WISKA UK Ltd ...................................................... Page 57

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