Connections Autumn 2023

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ConnectionsIssue 227 / Autumn 2023

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How should contractors gear up to work on the home of the future?

VDU, PAUL ...

Technical director Paul Collins on pushing on with net-zero objectives despite the government's relaxation of green targets

31 CAUGHT ON

CAMEAA

The latest howlers

10 9 PVINNOTTINGHAM ALAAMING SCHOOL CM Ward brings solar home, cutting tenants' energy costs

4 ConnectionsAUTUMN 2023

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Lorne Stewart takes on an academy in Cornwall

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33 NEED TD KNOW

The big issues affecting the industry, including the latest updates to legislation

42 ASK THE TEAM

Our helpline heroes answer your questions

66 OFF GAID An assortment of facts, stats and stories to spark your interest AUTUMN 2023

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Connections ©2023 ISSN 2042-5732

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·l•E■II Enquiries

OVER TD VDU,

PAUL ...

01582 539000

Communications manager: Debbie Shields debbie.shields@certsure.com Customer services: 0333 015 6625 Sales: 0333 015 6626 Training: 0333 015 6627 Technical helpline: 0333 015 6628 Insurance: 0333 015 6629 @offi.cialNICEIC

Published on behalf of Certsure by: Think, 20 Mortimer Street, London, W1T3JW Editor: Clare Dowdy clare.dowdy@thinkpublishing.co.uk Group managing editor: Sian Campbell Art director: Grant Pearce Client Engagement Directors: Anna Vassallo, Emma Godfrey Content development director: Matthew Rock Executive director: Jackie Scully Advertising: Tola Onasanya tola.onasanya@thinkpublishing.co.uk Connections welcomes ideas for contributions. Please email connections@thinkpublishing.co.uk

All rights reserved. This publication (and any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any format without the prior written permission of the publisher. Think Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.

Printed by Acorn Web Offset, West Yorkshire. Connections and its paper wrapper are printed on paper from European mills, meeting the highest quality and environmental standards.

Both the magazine and the paper wrapper are fully recyclable.

Welcome to the autumn issue of Connections. A lot has been happening in the industry since our last issue, with a significant focus on achieving net zero.

The recent relaxation of green targets by the Westminster government may be seen as a setback and it sends mixed messages to industries and consumers.

Nevertheless, the legally binding net-zero targets are still in place, and our ultimate goal remains the same: the way we generate and consume energy must change, and the electrification of heat and transport is inevitable. Therefore, it's essential for those operating our industry not to be deterred by politics at this critical juncture. In fact, we need to push forward even harder.

To our many NICEIC certified businesses who have already invested in training, you're on the right path. If you're still considering your options, our lead Invest intraining article (page 24) explores the opportunities Consider thebenefits on offer in the new-build housing sector to those with the right skills. oftaking onan Up skilling is one way to future-proof apprentice the industry, but it must go hand in hand Staytuned forchanges with nurturing future talent. Offering totechnical standardsapprenticeships is key to this. To this end, it's encouraging to see the great work being done by TESP, which has introduced a domestic electrician apprenticeship (page 23). Many of you are business owners, and you also play a critical role in bringing new talent into the industry.

Without you, apprenticeships can't be delivered and those entering the field can't gain the experience needed. Please be mindful of this.

In other news, as we were going to press, MCS published its plans to restructure the scheme. For more on this in the coming weeks, stay tuned to our social channels and engage with our newsletters.

Finally, on page 17,check out the third instalment in our 'NICEIC electrotechnical assessment' series. Our head of assessment, Dan Smith, provides helpful tips on preparing for your on-site assessment.

That's all from me for now. I hope you enjoy this issue and don't forget to log any learnings on your CPD record.

OUATDP PAIDAITIES FDA VDU

Paul Collins Technical director, NICEIC AUTUMN 2023

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EVEAU DRU'S A SCHOOL DAU Lorne Stewart works around asbestos at a Cornish academy

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When Lorne Stewart plc (Facilities Division) installed Pool Academy's new fire alarm system, the firm also had to deal with asbestos in the school buildings, out of hours working, and keeping the old fire alarm 'live' during the works.

"It was about managing everyone's expectations and being mindful that it was an operational school," says Phil Bigg, operations manager within the Facilities Division at Lorne Stewart Plymouth.

"It was a 26-week programme, which we kept to, and we did 10-hour shifts, from 4pm until 2am from Monday to Friday morning, which worked well."

Lorne Stewart plc (Facilities) is contracted by Cornwall Council to provide a total M&E package of works on the maintenance of the council's schools.

The firm was appointed to install an L2-compliant fire alarm system, "' including fire dampers and associated fire .!l stopping, at Pool Academy in Redruth. ~ ~ Because the school is so large with a ~ lot of buildings spread out, a five-panel network was installed and networked ti together to enable ease of cabling. The e sixth panel installed controls the fire 0 >-'< 00 dampers, which are fitted within the ~ ..c; school's existing ventilation ducting to § prevent and isolate the spread of fire and .§ rn smoke in the event of a fire.

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Lorne Stewart fitted around 270 smoke detectors. They installed aspirating smoke detection systems in both the sports hall and the lift shafts - in the former because of the high ceilings, and in the latter to help with future maintenance, meaning a specialist lift contractor wouldn't need to be called out.

Bigg chose an analogue addressable fire alarm system rather than a conventional one, because it provides greater visibility and specific details on individual fire detector locations, he says.

Pool Academy started life as a comprehensive school in the 1970s, and many of its buildings contain asbestos. Bigg says that before work could begin, a survey of the buildings was commissioned, so they knew exactly where the asbestos was located. During the works they had to carefully consider where the cables could be run, and made sure they didn't disturb any asbestos.

Then there was the tricky business of keeping the old fire alarm 'live'. "We weren't allowed to disconnect the old fire alarm until everything was changed over," says Bigg. "A lot of the devices had to be sited in the same location, so the challenge was keeping the old system running and wiring in the new one, and then swapping everything over."

ABITABOUT ASBESTOS Asbestos isthesingle greatest cause ofwork-related deaths intheUK,stillkilling around 5,000workers eachyear.Ifasbestos isingood condition andisnotdisturbed ordamaged, thereisnegligible risk.However, ifit isdisturbed ordamaged, itcanbecome a danger to health, because asbestos fibres arereleased intotheairandpeople maybreathe themin.

Before starting workina building thatcould contain asbestos, youshould takethe following action: • Identify whether asbestos ispresent anddetermine itstypeandcondition.

• Carry outariskassessment anddecide iftheworkneeds tobedone bya licensed contractor.

• Iftheworkisnotlicensable, decide whether theworkneeds tobenotified.

• Make surethatthose carrying outtheworkaresuitably trained.

Source: hse.g □v.uk/asbest□ s

AUTUMN 2023

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IT'STIME TDBUILD RWEBSITE Creating awebsitewillwinnewbusiness, makeyoulookmoreprofessional andsimplifyyourlife.It'stimeto entercyberspace ByCharles Orton-Jones 12 Connections AUTUMN 2023

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us to look professional. If you haven't got a website, people will think 'Hang on, who are they?' and think negatively of you."

Although Webster Thomas isn't out to win new business, websites can be designed to boost profits.

"It's a chance to show how you differ from your rivals," says Thomas. "You can explain all the services you offer, and what you specialise in. Customers will know they're getting the right firm for the job."

And as for the cost and complexity, it's true that 20 years ago it was expensive to build a website. But that was before website builders took off.

These are services that make it simple to construct a website with almost no technical knowledge.

''Awebsite builder such as Wix.com lets you build a site using drag and drop.

The user does not need to type any code.

And there's a free version," Jaggs says.

"Other website builders start from around £20 a month - for pretty much everything you need to build and run a website. It's extraordinarily good value."

The cost ofThomas's website was "under £1,000". Functionality is limited it's a brochure website, listing his clients and his specialisms. "Explain what you do," he recommends. "It's a great way to promote yourself."

"When people check youout, toseeif youarecredible, they'llwanttofinda website" RICHARD JAGGS, RESDLUTIDN DESIGN

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browse of the NICEIC 'Find a tradesperson' service reveals a curious thing: the abundance of certified businesses without a listed website. This is the internet age. One of the main ways a customer will find a tradesperson is via the web. And yet cyberspace seems to remain a dead zone for swathes of the profession.

The reason? The cost, the hassle and the lack of need - in a sector that is persistently in demand - all play a role.

It's time for a rethink. •••---, "Yes,you need a website," says Richard Jaggs, digital expert and managing director of Resolution Design, which helps small firms with online matters. He highlights two main reasons. "One is to gain more enquiries. The second is to gain credibility.

There is an expectation that every company will have a website. When people check you out, to see if you are credible, they'll want to find one."

The credibility angle was crucial for Owen Thomas, founder ofWebster Thomas Electrical in Rochester. The main goal for WebsterThomas.co.uk is reassurance for potential customers. ~ "To be brutally honest, we get very ~.; few enquiries through our website," ] says Thomas. "It wasn't set up to ui capture more business. It's more for Q)

AUTUMN2023 Connedions

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Howtobuilda site It's possible to build a website with little technical knowledge. Drag and drop sites use templates, which can be personalised by dragging and dropping elements. Popular platforms include GoDaddy.com, Squarespace and Wix. Need help? A web designer can be found cheaply on platforms such as Fiverr.com and Upwork. Many of the web experts on these sites are in Asia, South America and Africa, so charge accordingly. This means it's possible to create a bespoke website for £100. A company logo can be created for approximately £30 (make sure to ask the designer for the original artwork so you can use it on other projects).

Is the website working? A web designer will connect your website to Google Analytics, which tracks website performance. You can see how many people look at your website, where they're from, and whether they use a mobile phone, tablet or PC.

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"It'sa chance to showhow oudifferfromyourrivals Voucanexplain whatyou specialise in.Customers will knowthey'regetting the rightfirmforthejob" OWEN THOMAS, WEBSTER THOMAS ELECTRICAL

Look professional With a smart website you can look like a serious outfit. It's possible to sync the domain name to your email providers, so you and all staff share the same company email domain. Customers will be more impressed by alan@colchesterelectrical. com, than alan1979@cheapinternet4u. com. Corporate customers, including government agencies, will be more likely to consider you for contracts if you look the part.

WATCH OUT! Websites mustbeviewable ona varietyofscreen sizes,frommobile phone and tablet,tolaptop andPC.Thedimensions varyacross devices.

Sothewebsite mustbe'responsive'.

Check howyourwebsite looks onmultiple devices.

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Theassessment process isakeypartofyourcertification withNICEIC. Inthefinalarticle inour series ontheelectrotechnical assessment, welookattheon-site reQuirements

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FarDomestic Installers 6 If your business installs EV charging equipment, our assessor will ask • Certified domestic installers must provide at least one acceptable to visit one or more of your site as part of their installations. Please identify assessment. at least one, and ensure it's When selecting sitesfaryourNICEIC accessible on the day.

• For Domestic Installer INFORMATION Approved Contractor andDomestic Installer applicants, a consumer DUA PAEPAAI ASSESSMENT assessments, bearinmind: FarApproved Contractors unit change on its own AT8/T.LWNICEI or minor works are not l The examples of work should be • Approved Contractors representative of the day-to-day work your must make available a acceptable. e The NICEIC Domestic business has done which is reflective of the minimum of three acceptable range, scale and scope of electrical work Installer Scheme does not sites for their assessment. One assess the competence of businesses to undertaken since the last assessment. can be ajob in progress.

2 The work must comply with BS 7671 and issue EICRs or work in non-dwellings.

• Periodic Inspection and Testing is also suitable for a single site. relevant building regulations/standards. It • If you are certified on the Domestic should also be possible to de-energise and Installer Scheme but are not an Approved • If you're also certified by us on the isolate the work during the assessment to Domestic Installer Competent Person Contractor and have added the Rented facilitate a range of sample testing.

Sector scheme to your certification, you Scheme (or you're planning to apply), we'll will be required to have an additional half 3 It is important to note that travel time need to review a sample of your notifiable day's assessment to ensure we can review domestic installation work and systems. between the contracting office and the this type of work. site(s) should typically not exceed 30 • If no relevant domestic work is available, you'll need an additional minutes to allow sufficient time. If this isn't possible, an additional chargeable chargeable assessment to obtain assessment will be required. or maintain certification under the NOTES TDALL 4 Each sample of electrical work offered Domestic Installer Scheme.

Warkfarassessment mustNOT: should include the installation of sufficient • Defined Approval status may apply, • beworkcompleted faroran new or additional circuits. For example, it's depending on the type of work and behalf ofanother business recommended to have at least two circuits certification made available for assessment.

• be certified or notified byanother on each sample of work, including new business FarnewApproved Contractor applicants circuits that are reasonably substantial.

• beworkcompleted anyourawn 5 Generally, acceptable sites are those • A consumer unit change can be used, property, unless thisfarmspart but only for one site. Minor works are not that require an Electrical Installation ofanapplicant assessment acceptable for an applicant assessment, Certificate (EIC), such as full rewires or unless applying for defined approval. additions of new circuits. ou've booked the assessment and all your paperwork is in order. Now you need to provide examples of your work for the assessor to review.

NICEIC HEAD OFASSESSMENT DAN SMITH'S TOP TIPS

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Thefallowing tipswillhelp !] Make sureallthedocumentation, andequipment are yourNICEIC electrotechnlcal l:i publications available fartheassessor antheday. assessment runsmoothly.

Thiswillavoid anyunnecessary fallawBoak yourassessment assoon as ups,which would incur additional casts.

Faran-site assessment[s), carefully yougetyourbooking communication select workthatreflects therange, fromus.Vau'II getmareavailable scaleandscape ofelectrical work datesandavoid missing the undertaken.

Thishelps youandusmake certification deadline [andpossible themastofyourassessment. suspension fromthescheme).

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Notify usassoon aspossible ofa change ofdetails, such aschange of Oualified Supervisor.

Ifthisisnotdone intheprescribed timeinaccordance withtheScheme Rules itmayleadtaan additional orreassessment visit.

Asthesaying goes, 'falling taprepare Ispreparing tafall'.Wewantyoutabe prepared andwelook forward taseeing youanyournextassessment.

5

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Thebestwaytoprevent wrangles withcustomers overpayment isto protect yourbusiness against thatrisk.

Brendan Matan explains howtogoabout it

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e've all had the call-out.

Someone is distressed; the flat is in darkness; the lights aren't working. Before you know it, you've responded and are in there trying to fix a number ofrelated problems. Some were not discussed on the phone. The call came from the landlord, not the tenant in the property. You're beginning to have second thoughts about what this particular job actually involves.

Online forums are full of anecdotes of electricians getting into tricky situations because of the natural impulse to help others in distress. Emergency call-outs are a time when many of us act first and think later. But this attitude, while very natural, can leave electrical contractors in tricky territory when it comes to being paid.

Getthecontract right The contract does not have to be a long, formal document over many pages.

It doesn't need to be written down at all (although that can be a source of argument all on its own). According to Liane Atcheson, solicitor at Tenet Law in Egbaston, if there is an offer of work, an

18 ConnectionsAUTUMN 2023

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acceptance by the prospective client and an agreed price, then a contract has been made. "The client is obligated to pay, the contractor is obligated to do the work and the law assumes that work will be done to a satisfactory standard," says Atcheson.

This can all be done via WhatsApp or a text: at least then it is in writing rather than verbal. Of course, this sort of contract- which accounts for thousands of residential jobs in the UK every day- has not covered off many sources of dispute.

Let's go back to that emergency call-out by the landlord. If a contractor turns up and finds the wiring in the flat is dangerous - a situation that the landlord has not made clear - does the contractor plough on with what needs to be done because it's late at night and the effort of travelling to the job has already been made? Do the extra works get communicated to the tenant or the absent landlord?

Atcheson is clear that whichever party made the original contract is the party with whom the contractor has to communicate. The fancy legal term for doing extra work is 'variation of contract'. It can be done by another text

message or even a phone call. But it can't be done with the tenant just because the landlord isn't picking up the phone while the tenant is standing in front of you (in this particular instance, there is also a consideration of the terms of the tenancy: do the tenant and landlord split certain costs for household repairs? According to the tenancy agreement, who ought to have made the contract with the contractor?).

In most situations, there is enough goodwill for the job to be done and paid for on time. But sometimes, the goodwill isn't there. Alongside rogue traders, we should put the phrases 'rogue customers' and 'professional non-payers'.

As Rob Driscoll, director of business and legal affairs at the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), says: "It's not about morals; it's about ensuring a sustainable cash flow."

The sensible start to getting paid is having a strong set of terms and conditions ready to go every time you quote for a job.

Spelling out in writing in advance simple "l'.i points such as when you expect to get paid by; conditions of access (I'm not going to ]" clear away your mess in the loft to reach the "'

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Nexttimein Connections: avoiding disputes forbigger contractors! solar battery); and labour costs per hour all help to avoid disputes.

Those terms and conditions can be sent as a pdf attachment (Word docs can be altered easily by rogue customers).

For those who want a proper workflow system, apps like Tradify, Powered Now and Simpro enable management and recording of all the crucial elements such as job status,job attribution, directions to the next job, hours worked, billing and uploading photos to accompany reports.

Tradify is available to try for free and then costs £21 per month, per user.

The ECA has templates for terms and conditions of contract for members on its website. Driscoll distinguishes between old-fashioned businesses in which everything is done on paper and the new world of apps. His concern is that oldfashioned firms are vulnerable to disputes in situations such as emergency call-outs when paperwork can be forgotten and the office where administration gets done is closed for the day.

"If you look at retail for inspiration, they use apps to engineer the customer process to maximise cash, manage expectations, and reduce misunderstandings to the point of almost eradicating disputes," he says.

That is bad news for 'old-fashioned' contractors who try to pursue late-payers via the courts. Because if there is one thing the legal system loves, it is ordered, relevant documentation. If yours is the kind of van with receipts, invoices and leftover lunches littering the dashboard, going through the courts won't be fun.

Before it gets to that point, Atcheson encourages contractors to re-issue the original invoice. Invoices ought to include a final date for payment. You can choose any period you like (even the full cost upfront) but make it a condition of the contract, i.e. the client knew before you started the job.

If that final date for payment has passed, then contact the client again with a final demand, stating that if payment is not forthcoming you will take legal action.

You may at this stage want to negotiate a deal: either more time or structured

"Thesensible starttogetting aidishaving a strong setof termsreadyto goeverytime youQuote forajob"

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RISK ANDPROTECTION Thereareotherwaysto protectyourself against dissatisfied clients.

Oneistotakeoutinsurance.

HalfofNICEIC certified businesses using NICEIC Insurance Services paidlessthan£380forcoverlastyear.

Themostpopular category ofclaims overthelast1amonths was public liability, whichincludes damages toa client's property.

The package offeredbyNICEIC Insurance Services includes public liability butalsoprofessional indemnity andefficacy asstandard.

Thisensures a rounded coverage to support work. yourelectrical Thesecond mostcommon source ofclaims [31%] wastheftoftools.

Cover to replace themisa simple addition thatNICEIC Insurance Services canbuildintoyourinsurance package.

Source: Marsh[figuresdonotincludeclaimsonpoliciesmadeoutsideNICEIC Insurance Services]

payments. The forums are divided here.

Is it better to get something or go to the trouble oflitigation?

How toescalate legalaction There are three connected legal avenues to getting back what you are owed from a reluctant customer: 1. Use a solicitor to pursue a claim.

2. Use the government's Money Claims Online service (MCOL).

3. Use the government's Money Claims service.

Your eyes do not deceive you. Those second and third options are only marginally different but the civil servants responsible for brand differentiation still decided to have the day off when they were launched. Both can be started online. The Money Claims service is for small sums, up to £10,000. MCOL is more complicated but that's because it's for claims up to £100,000 - and can be against one or two parties. For even bigger claims, you will probably want that first option, a solicitor.

Although both Money Claims services can be accessed online, they aren't necessarily speedy. Money Claims is supposed to be faster - for cases that can be heard in a day - but the hearing is not the extent of your involvement. There is preparation and application, such as ensuring you've got the current address of the defendant, plus the time after waiting - or pursuing- the money. You can add interest at 8% onto your claim but on the other side, there are fees to pay, and you are not litigating to punish the customer.

These are not claims for damages.

As for MCOL, Atcheson reckons you should expect resolution to take four to six months on average. That begins with preparation of documents, application and mediation. If mediation fails, then you repeat the process of asking customers for the money and giving them time to respond. What has changed from the earlier 'final demand' is that this time the courts are tracking your claim. A customer - now the defendant - who ignores their responsibilities to respond could find judgment against them comes sooner rather than later. But if they are up for the fight and contest your claim properly, then the case might go to a real court.

If you win but the customer still doesn't pay, you can use the power of the judgment to employ bailiffs to seize property to the value of the judgment. This applies to claims of any size. But you need to conduct this process properly- and pay the bailiffs.

Before giving yourself all this extra effort, one good piece of advice is to pay a small fee to see if the individual already has any county court judgments against them. The records are public and may be an indication of their character.

There is a lot to consider in litigation, which must be why solicitors are always busy. You can use them to take the whole process off your hands, but prevention is better than cure and certainly cheaper.

Reduce the scope for legal wrangles in advance by communicating clearly in writing your terms and conditions to prospective customers before taking one step towards the job - even those emergency call-outs.

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matters regarding an employee's behaviour ('misconduct') or performance ('capability'). That could be failed drugs tests, stealing or negligent work, such as cutting corners or producing shoddy work.

Here's some advice to company owners and senior staff who find themselves having to navigate these issues.

Catherine Watt,headofemployee relations atECA, explains what employers atbigger businesses needtoknow

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ehaviour and performance difficulties can arise at any point in the employment relationship.

Knowing how to manage these efficiently and fairly is key to avoiding the costly impact from decreased productivity, project failure, absenteeism and the like.

In most cases, the action necessary will be little more than a quiet word to encourage improvements. However, the perceived disruption and effort it takes to manage these issues - coupled with wider concerns about recruitment and retention - mean it can be tempting to turn a blind

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eye or give employees the benefit of the doubt, and only consider disciplinary action as a last resort.

Beware! This can erode standards, reputations and behaviours so that when employers do reach out for help, the problem can feel insurmountable and take increased time and effort to resolve.

ECA offers support to businesses to manage these matters to prevent such unnecessary escalation.

Around a third of all calls to the ECA employee relations helpline ask for advice in dealing with disciplinary

How serious isit?

How you manage the matter appropriately depends on how severe or serious it is. So, if someone is taking too-long breaks, is often late, is slacking off work or failing to complete paperwork properly, you might have an informal discussion. This lets you draw a line in the sand and outline verbally and in writing the standards required, and expected improvements.

If the issues persist, then more formal action might be required.

Then there are the more serious matters: your employee refusing to follow a reasonable instruction, making a mistake that's costly to the organisation, stealing company property, behaving in a way that could bring the organisation into disrepute, or putting colleagues' health and safety at risk. It's not usually

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appropriate to address these informally.

It's better to implement the formal disciplinary procedure immediately.

In the most serious cases, you can consider suspension as part of a risk management strategy. Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) advises: "In cases where a period of suspension with pay is considered necessary, this period should be as brief as

"Good em loyment relations practices - including for recruitment, induction training, communications andconsultation - can prevent manydiscipline and grievance problems arising" ncns possible, should be kept under review and it should be made clear that this suspension is not considered a disciplinary action."

Employers often contact our helpline seeking to immediately dismiss someone, or to abbreviate the disciplinary process.

But if you're going to foreshorten the process, bear in mind that an employee with two years' service can bring a claim for unfair dismissal. What's more, the employment tribunal as part ofits deliberations will examine whether the employer followed a fair disciplinary procedure and the Acas code. If the tribunal finds the employer failed to meet the required standards, it has powers to increase compensation by up to 25%.

Thorough investigation To manage any misconduct, you first need to investigate the issue impartially, thoroughly and fairly. A flawed investigation process is often at the heart of an unfair dismissal claim. This might typically include an investigatory meeting with the employee, witness statements and the collation of written evidence. An investigation meeting "' should not result in disciplinary action but fil, .§ should be used to determine whether there is a case to answer. ~ All information gathered as part of a ~ " disciplinary investigation should be shared .s ~ with the employee ahead of the disciplinary :. meeting. At such meetings, employees B have the right to representation, unlike in "' ~

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an investigatory meeting. This is because the disciplinary meeting could result in a warning being issued or confirmed (appeal meeting), or some other action being taken.

The principles for a fair disciplinary are that the employee knows what they're accused of, they're given a reasonable opportunity to explain their side of the case, and you give the employee's defence fair and open-minded consideration.

It's not unusual for an employee to want to avoid disciplinary action when faced with serious disciplinary matters.

There might be potential for a protected or 'off the record' conversation to end the employment relationship on agreed terms (under a settlement agreement), or the employee might resign. If the employee resigns with immediate effect, the disciplinary process is not progressed.

But if the employee has given notice, the disciplinary procedure should be progressed to its conclusion during the employee's notice period. If they're dismissed for gross misconduct, the employer can override any resignation and dismiss without notice.

Employers who receive support through the helpline often decide to implement disciplinary processes.

That's because, although many issues can be resolved informally in the workplace, fairness and transparency are promoted by using rules and procedures for handling disciplinary situations. We have simple template disciplinary policies on our website for ECA members to adapt.

Acas points out that: "Good employment relations practices including for recruitment, induction training, communications and consultation - can prevent many discipline and grievance problems arising." Having clear procedures that are communicated effectively can set the foundation for good employee relations, but be prepared to manage issues that will inevitably occur.

BEAWARE • Even Ifyouthinkthere's afairreason fordlsmlssal, youmustfollow afair process.

Employees withmore than twoyears'service canclaim unfair dismissal if youfailtofollow your disciplinary process ortheReas code ofpractice.

• Theft,fraud,physical violence, gross negligence orserious insubordination aretermed gross misconduct, and dlsmlssal without maywarrant notice forafirstoffence.

Butafair disciplinary process should always befollowed, before dismissing for gross misconduct. e 1tmaynotbenecessary tofollow afulldlsclpllnary process If your employee isstillintheirprobation Voushould period. check your contract ofemployment, which should outline howissues aremanaged in theprobationary period.

• Workers havea statutory rightto beaccompanied bya companion whenthedlsclpllnary meeting could resultIn: • aformal warning being issued • thetaking ofsome other disciplinary action • theconfirmation ofawarning • someotherdlsclpllnary action [appeal hearings).

Thestatutory rightistobeaccompanied byafellow worker, atradeunion representative oranofficial employed byatradeunion.

Afairdlsclpllnary procedure reQulres thefollowing principles: • Employee knows whattheyare accused of • Employee hasa reasonable opportunity toexplain theirside ofthecase • Employer givesemployee's defence fairandopen-minded consideration.

ECA: HERE TOHELP ECR offersmembers unlimited access toa freehelpline foradvice and support onemployment lawandHllissues.

Thelinesaremanned by qualified solicitors andCIPD level7qualified Hlladvisers.

Rmember can contact thehelpline throughout thedisciplinary process, andwesupport themthrough theprocess todismissal, warning, settlement orresignation.

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receive funding for apprentices of any age.

So you'll just need to cover their wages, and no National Insurance is payable for apprentices under 25. You'll receive support from your training provider to manage the whole process.

You can sign up for English apprenticeships via the online Apprenticeship Service. You can reserve your apprenticeship funding and nominate your chosen training provider to arrange all the recruitment and administration.

Training someone from scratch means you can develop them to match your business style, values and ways of working. You're also helping to develop the future talent pipeline to address the ongoing skills shortage.

For further information, visit apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers

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APPRENTICE Inthefirstofanewseries byTheElectrotechnical Skills Partnership onroutes intotheelectrical industry, TESP chairRuth Devine explains what's newwithapprenticeships

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f you're looking to build your business and take on more work, it's worth thinking about recruiting an apprentice. Training an apprentice can be a productive and effective way to grow while ensuring your future workforce is skilled and qualified.

In England, until June 2022 the installation and maintenance electrician was the only apprenticeship available.

But following demand from employers and training providers, we now have a domestic electrician apprenticeship.

Previously, many businesses working in domestic environments couldn't access an apprenticeship because of their scope of work. With the introduction of the domestic electrician apprenticeship alongside the updated installation and maintenance electrician route, there's now a more tailored approach for all electrical contractors, whether they're working in industrial or commercial settings, domestic properties such as homes, or in individual dwelling units such as flats, care homes and student accommodation (excluding communal areas).

The distinction between the two apprenticeships is important, as work-based evidence for each needs to be in a relevant setting. So domestic evidence would not be accepted for certain installation and maintenance apprenticeship elements.

As well as teaching core and traditional electrical skills, both apprenticeships include training and assessment in electric vehicle charging point installation. They also provide strong foundation knowledge as a basis for further training in other new and low-carbon technologies.

Both apprenticeships work on developing behaviours that matter to employers, such as commercial skills, problem-solving and customer service.

The training programme takes three years (domestic electrician) or four years (installation and maintenance electrician). Apprentices train with a college or training provider and, crucially, learn from their day-to-day work on site.

Both apprenticeships can be 'accelerated' with existing relevant qualifications or experience - the provider reviews these at the initial assessment stage - but must last at least 12 months.

At the end of their training, apprentices take an end-point assessment - known as the AM2 test. Installation and maintenance electrician apprentices do the AM2S, and domestic electrician apprentices the AM2D. Both tests assess what the apprentice has learned during their apprenticeship. Once successfully completed, the apprentice has fully qualified and is eligible for an ECS gold card, which is a mark of competence.

Traditionally, apprenticeships were only for young people, but now employers

THEELECTROTECHNICAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIP [TESP] TESP Isa not-for-profit 'community Interest company' thatworks onskillsprojects tobenefit theelectrotechnical industry.

Its coremembers areECA, JIB,National Electrotechnical Training, Unite theUnion andSELECT. Certsure works closely withTESP on

APPQENTICESHIPS ACQOSS THENATIONS SCOTLAND IJour apprentice willjointheModern Apprenticeship scheme and,once completed, willachieve anSCOF 7 Installation.

Attheend inElectrical oftheirapprentice training, they willcomplete theFinalIntegrated Competence Assessment [FICA).

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Theinstallation andmaintenance electrician apprenticeship is available inWales.Attheendoftheir training, theywillcomplete theAM2S assessment to become fullyqualified. gav.wales/recruit-apprentice-guidanceemplayers

NDRTHERNIRELAND Theelectrotechnical [installation andmaintenance electrician) apprenticeship isalsoavailable here,andapprentices taketheAM2S attheendoftheirtraining. assessment nibusinessinfa.ca.uk/apprenticeships

projects suchastheExperienced Worker Assessment andthe Electrotechnical Assessment Specification nualifications Guide.

TESP provides resources andguidance tothesector, including theElectrical Careers website, theIndustry intoEducation and Rogue Trainers campaigns, Labour Market Intelligence andindustryapproved training routes.

The Electrotechnical the-esp.arg.uk •'-!JSkills Partnership

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he government's announced relaxation of green targets in September should not throw us offtrack, says NICEIC technical director Paul Collins.

"The whole nation is depending on us to make the electrification of heat and transport happen. The many NICEIC certified businesses that have already broadened their skills and invested in training are on the right path, and will reap the benefits.

The future energy landscape will be shaped by their expertise."

Although Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's actions may slow the pace of changes affecting new-build housing, those changes are already under way and gathering momentum. Part L of the Building Regulations, in effect since June 2022, reduced permitted carbon emissions for new homes by 31%,and from 2025 the Future Homes Standard (FHS) will mandate reductions of75% to 80% compared with levels allowed before 2022.

Those emission cuts will be made by changing construction materials and methods, and by making new homes much more energy efficient. Under the FHS, no new-build home will be connected to the gas grid. Research published by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) this year shows that new homes incorporating measures to increase energy and thermal efficiency, use 55% less energy and emit 60% less carbon on average than existing homes, cutting energy bills by £135 per month (£1,570 per year).

Anyone who has installed solar PV systems in recent years will be familiar with solar panels being used alongside smart metering, not just to generate energy, but also to maximise the benefits of energy storage battery systems and coordinate use of home electric vehicle (EV) charging points. In the near future, we're likely to see all these technologies deployed together in standard new-build houses. Rhodri Williams, technical and sustainability director at HBF, thinks ~ these systems will enable homes to ~.; "become independent of the grid and ] self-sufficient for energy demand" at least ui some of the time.

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Once the FHS comes into effect, the numbers of heat pumps installed in new housing will rise sharply. Luke Osborne, energy and emerging technologies solutions advisor at the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), thinks that 10 years from now heat pumps "will be installed by default" in new homes.

In January 2023, construction firm Redraw announced that all its future housing developments will use air source heat pumps.

Stuart Gadsden is commercial director at Kensa Contracting, part of the Kens a Group, which manufactures and installs ground source heat pumps in networks that can serve 300 or more homes, creating even greater efficiency and cost savings for developers and householders. He claims the company is seeing huge interest and is already installing many devices in social housing on behalf of councils and housing associations that can see the practical and financial advantages. "[They] have decided it's the right thing to do, for the climate emergency and because you're going to end up with lower running costs," says Gadsden.

But he admits the next big jump in demand for new private housing is unlikely to begin until the FHS becomes effective.

Williams believes volume newbuild homes will soon contain

as much home automation technology as many high-end homes do today, with whole house controls for heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC), lighting and perhaps security, alongside internet-connected devices for purposes such as controlling blinds and home entertainment systems, and interacting with fitness equipment.

AI and machine learning technologies could optimise the way these systems function to suit the lifestyles of a home's occupants. "The house of the future will use AI to know the behaviour of people in the house at different times," says Carol Massay, head of construction at The Access Group. "The lights and heating come on when they need to. It's all about being energy efficient."

Intelligent systems Collins at NICEIC expects these systems to find the most cost-effective ways to use energy generated by solar panels and held in energy storage systems. "It's most expensive to use energy between 6pm and 7pm, so the house will use stored energy at that time; but then between lam and 2am it will put that energy into the car," he explains. "The house will be able to go into a standby, eco mode when you're not there, to conserve energy."

Some wiring or cabling will be hidden in ceilings or walls, but with multiple connected devices throughout the home, Stuart Gadsden

WHAT'S TDCOME? Electrical and technical changes that will be common in 20 years' time include: • Integrated solar PV, energy storage and EV charging point systems capable of optimising use of solar-generated energy.

• Air source or ground source heat pumps and/or energy efficient electrical heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems, integrated with temperature and occupation sensors.

• Automated home technologies controlling functions including lighting, HVAC, security, fire alarms, ventilation and home entertainment.

• Homes built to take full advantage of natural light and heat, assisting optimum HVAC and energy use, as well as built-in physical alignments to maximise sunlight for solar PV.

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wi-fi signals will have to be excellent.

Osborne wonders whether this might mean a network ofwi-fi access points would need to be installed throughout the house to overcome signal disruption linked to construction or insulation materials.

Alternatively, there could be more use ofli-fi: a wireless system that transmits data via LED or infrared light Rhodri Williams

fittings. We may also see more use of Power over Ethernet, passing data and electricity to connected devices via integrated cables.

If more of the energy used in the home is generated using solar PV, then stored in a battery before being used to power the growing number of DC devices now used in our homes, using a DC as well as an AC supply could be a logical option. "We could use DC for lighting fed directly from a storage system to

The Great British Insulation Scheme, an energy efficiency scheme formerly known as ECO+, targets the least energy efficient homes in the UK, providing subsidised cavity wall, solid wall and loft insulation.

Analysis by the energy industry trade association Energy UK suggests that the existing scheme has delivered average annual savings on energy bills of £290 per household.

Another measure that will improve the energy efficiency of new homes is 'fabric first' construction, which maximises the performance of building materials and components, reducing costs and the need for ongoing maintenance. Such measures would improve the air-tightness of buildings, optimise use of natural light, heat and airflow, and exploit heat produced by the fabric of the building and equipment in use inside it, including electronic devices and cookers.

PAST VISIONS OFHIGH-TECH HOMES In 1930, eccentric aristocrat Frederick Edwin Smith, the Earl of Birkenhead, published a book called The World In 2080 AD (with the illustration pictured below). It envisaged television and large-screen home entertainment, but also predicted that, despite the invention oflabour-saving devices, many people would find housekeeping too difficult, so would share communal facilities in "synthesised homes", managed by "the large number of women who ... find their greatest happiness in discharging the duties of housekeeper or nurse".

In the 1950s, the 'Miracle Kitchen' envisaged by US futurists was run by autonomous robotic devices. Some of these have entered our lives, such as the Roomba vacuum cleaner, or the more complex high-end white goods found in kitchens and utility rooms today that can decide how best to wash clothing, for example, or tell us when they need to be cleaned.

The 1960s US animated TV series The Jetsons featured some imagined technologies that many ofus use now, including autonomous cooking and cleaning devices, smart watches and drones; and some that are not often found in the home, such as holograms and 3D printing. Its creators' assumption that 1950s suburban American family values would endure long into the future was not so prescient.

In 1971, Italian designer Cesare 'Joe' Colombo created the Total Furnishing Unit, a plastic-based modular unit that combines the functions of a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It anticipated the extremely compact homes that are in use today, such as the microflats in some of the most densely-populated cities, like Hong Kong. In these homes, bed, bathroom and cooking facilities are somehow crammed into an area roughly the size of a parking space.

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save energy in converting from DC to AC," says Collins.

In order for all these technologies to work together effectively, electricians "will need to be the technology integrators", as Osborne puts it. Collins believes that developing maintenance contracts will become ever more important to contractors, allowing them to build customer bases from which they can draw revenue over the longer term. "Softer skills and the customer relationship will be essential," he says.

Modular houses Some contractors may work on modular housing components in factories before the components are transported to building sites for assembly. In theory, increased use of modular housing could help to ease the UK's housing crisis, by cutting construction costs, while reducing environmental impacts, in part by decreasing the number of vehicles moving building materials around the country.

In practice, there isn't yet enough demand for this type of construction to become widespread here. If that changes, Osborne wonders if some contractors will specialise in working on modular housing components. "Modular construction seems

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to be stumbling to get out of the blocks in the UK, but I'm sure at some point these issues will be ironed out," he says.

So how long will it be before Connections readers are working on these next-generation new homes? For Osborne, the key step forward will be the introduction of the FHS. After that, he says, much of what has been discussed in this article will become more widespread: "We are already seeing new-built estates featuring these integrated technologies,

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:c Iconsequences of this shift may THEIMPACT OFCLIMATE include increased demand for ANDDEMOGRAPHICS housing suitable for older people, The UK's population will increase more slowly between now and the mid 2040s, compared with the previous 25 years, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS). While the UK population grew by 9.1 million people (a 15.6% increase) between 1995 and 2020, it will grow by 3.9m (5.8%) between 2020 and 2045.

By 2045 the ONS predicts there will be 71m ofus; and more ofus will be in older age groups, with 3.lm people (4.3% of the population) aged 85 or older, compared with 1. 7m (2.5%) in 2020. The social and economic

and I think we will see an increase, in advance of2030."

But in an era oflabour shortages and small businesses facing unprecedented cost challenges, will the industry be ready for these changes?

with technology likely to play an important role in monitoring health and ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable.

Meanwhile, if the consequences of climate change have become even more obvious by 2050, in the form ofincreasingly frequent extreme weather events and rising sea levels, planning and construction of many homes in both rural and urban areas will need to encompass measures to ensure resilience against flooding or storm conditions, or temperature extremes in summer and winter.

"What worries me, in construction as a whole, but even more in specialist trades like electricians is: there's not enough of them," says Massay.

"If we're going to build energy efficient houses the electrician has a major role to play. Electricians need to start thinking about the training they will need if they want to keep up with the way the world is changing."

The future is coming, very quickly we'd better get ready.

RAE WEINDANGER OFMISSING CLIMATE TARGETS? At the time of writing, the UK government has announced changes to some of the milestones and targets for the transition towards a more low-carbon economy, including deadlines for an end to sales of new gas boilers and new petrol or diesel cars. The government claims it is still committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across the UK by 2050.

Yet in June 2023, the most recent report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), an independent, statutory body which advises the UK and devolved governments, stated that policy development was slow, and that its confidence in the UK meeting its medium-term targets had decreased. It said the government's strategy was over-reliant on technological solutions, some of which had not yet been deployed at scale.

Following the prime minister's announcements in September, CCC chief executive Chris Stark told

BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it would now be more difficult to hit the government's legally binding emission reduction targets. He said: "We need to do more ... [the announcement] was not about doing more, it was about doing less."

Dr Matthew Trewhella, CEO of the Kensa Group, which manufactures and installs ground source heat pumps, described the announcement as "extremely concerning". "Stalling this progress would be shortsighted, regressive and deprive the British economy of the billions of pounds of benefits that transitioning to net zero would bring," he said.

ECA's Luke Osborne added: "The announcement from Rishi Sunak is out of step with the rest of the world and the public at large. It may ease the pressure 'up front' over the next few years, but it will then make it more difficult to decarbonise the difficult last steps of our energy systems within a squeezed timescale."

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Thelatesthowlers spotted by vigilant readers

Mike King of Mand Properties LLP in Luton, Bedfordshire, was asked to carry out an EICR on a small shop. "The cut-out had a 16mm earth wire attached (TNCS) and left unconnected to anything, which sounded the alarm early on," King says.

"The consumer unit had clearly been replaced fairly recently, although the owner insisted not."

King isolated the unattached main earth connection at a remote isolator that was fitted to this and the adjacent property-which also had no main earth connection! On removing the cover he found the method used to get acceptable Zs readings was a little unconventional: a 2.5mm 2 link from N to E connection bars. "I can only assume the person who installed the replacement didn't have a connector or earth wire so decided this was a good alternative. I am only pleased the property has no gas and the water pipes are plastic, otherwise I suspect they would have relied on these instead."

Mark Flynn of Acorn Electrical Contractors in Milton Keynes found this under a plastic sheet in a five-bedroom detached property. The fault was tripping the RCD at the consumer unit. He solved the problem by removing all existing wiring and then rewiring.

Gareth Jones of J M Jones and Sons near Oswestry, Shropshire, saw this cooker outlet plate on a recent EICR- a very dangerous setup indeed. "The thread had gone on the line terminal," he explains. "No problem, stick it in the earth terminal!" He changed the outlet plate, connected it correctly and tested.

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KEEP ONKEEPING UP PaulCollins stresses the importance of investing in training inan ever-changing world The electrotechnical industry is experiencing growing demand for the installation and maintenance of technologies that support a green, low-carbon economy. As a response, and by way of ensuring technical standards are maintained, industry is shifting towards stricter mandatory requirements for recognising professional expertise. Regardless of the type of work your business engages in, investing in professional development, including training, is now more crucial than ever.

Back in the early 1990s when I became a qualified electrician, the profession primarily revolved around a set of core principles. Today, an electrician still needs a solid foundation in those principles, but they also have to adapt to working with various other technologies.

This includes solar PV, energy storage

systems, and electric vehicle charging points, all of which are in high demand today. Moreover, there's a growing need for electricians to work with lowcarbon technologies for heating and cooling buildings, both residential and commercial. Given the rapidly evolving technological landscape and shifting societal needs, electricians now require more than the core knowledge and skills.

To this end, NICEIC supports the 'Electrician Plus' concept introduced by TESP (see p37), which emphasises the crucial role qualified electricians will play in the UK's transition to a lower carbon economy. This is demonstrated in the expansion ofNICEIC Training's portfolio, which is constantly developing to meet your growing needs.

Raising standards The bar will continue to be raised on regulatory requirements with the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator, which aims to ensure competence across the built environment industries. This oversight also extends to Competent Person Schemes, with new Mandatory Technical Competence (MTC) requirements being established shortly.

These requirements will likely mandate formal qualifications for certain individuals working on tasks such as installing solar PV, energy storage systems, or electric vehicle charging points and the like. A knock-on of this will be that businesses seeking to join the Competent Person Schemes will also need the relevant qualifications for the scope of work they perform.

As standards are raised, the industry must also recognise the importance of retaining the expertise of individuals who have worked at a high standard for many years but may not have been able to gain formal qualifications equivalent to those undertaking Level 3 apprenticeships.

The benefits of EWA In response, the industry offers a recognised pathway - the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA).

Applicants for this route must meet specific criteria, including verifying they meet the minimum experience levels (five years for installation electrician and three years for domestic electrician).

As part of the process they must compile a work portfolio, complete practical assessments and pass an AM2E or AM2ED assessment, which mirrors the equivalent assessments taken by apprentices at the end of their training.

Completing an EWA+ relevant AM2 allows an individual to apply to be formally recognised as a Qualified Supervisor across the NICEIC electrotechnical schemes. It will also enable them to access training where formal qualifications are prerequisites, for example, the Electrical Energy Storage Systems qualification.

Stay tuned for more news on NICEIC's EWA offer, which will be launched in the newyear.

Tolearnmoreabout NICEIC training, scan theORcodeorvisit niceic.co/training-guide AUTUMN2023 Connections 33

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NICEIC UPGRADES POCKET GUIDE APP We'veupdatedthe • Improved interconnectivity.

Eachguidehaslinks to relateddocuments andwebinars.

The'related NICEIC PocketGuide buttongivesusersaccessto associated Appto furtherempower resources' contentsuchasTheWIRE, Electrical Safety NICEIC certified First'sBest-Practice Guides, andNICEIC's businesses withan arsenalof cuttingConnections magazine. edgeresources.

The • Tailored contentfilters,whichenableusersto revamped app,which customise theirexperience byfilteringguides to display only those relevant to specifictopics, is available for bothiDS suchasbuildingregulations, emergency lighting andAndroid devices throughtheAppStore andisolation. andGoogle Play, • Theabilitytosubmit questions tothetechnical promises to beagame-changer. helpline directly through theapp,ensuring even Keyupdatesof theNICEIC PocketGuide Appinclude: moretimelyandreliable support.

• AnewEVCharging PocketGuide, whichprovides • Immediate access toarticles andupdates viathe insightsandguidelines forthoseworkinginthisrapidly LatestNews Section.

Users cansetuptheappto evolvingsector. receive notifications whenever newsisadded.

• Theintegrationof NICEIC's GasPocketGuides, which • Anexpanded library ofresources, offering even offercomprehensive information andsupportfor moresupport andinsights fromElectrical Safety gasengineers.

First's Best-Practice Guides.

THEWIRE'S NEW SERIES

l

The new series ofNICEIC's CPDaccredited webinar series, The WIRE, is under way. Sign up to upcoming live broadcasts, which include 'EV charging installations - getting it right', on 22 November and 'Nurturing mental health and wellbeing through the festive break' on 13 December.

Free and exclusive to NICEIC certified businesses, the broadcasts are delivered online every other Wednesday at 8pm.

The last series amassed an extraordinary 150,000 views. If you missed any episodes, you can watch them on demand and still be eligible for a CPD certificate.

Visit niceic.com/thewire for further information.

/THEWJREl 34 Connections AUTUMN 2023

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BAFE SCHEME LATEST BAFE Scheme Document SPi!D3-l forthedesign, installation, commissioning, andmaintenance offire detectionandfirealarmsystems hasbeenupdated.

Thenew requirements comeintoeffect onl November i!Oi!3fornew applicants, andallowi!4months for implementation intoexisting certifiedbusinesses' systems.

Updates to thescheme include: • Nominated Leadlndividual[s) required foreachmodule [design,installation, commissioning, and maintenance) skills,knowledge, • Appropriate experience andbehaviours to factoredinaccording theBSIFlexB670-the criteriaforbuildingsafety incompetence frameworks recommendations of individuals • Competence hasbeenmademoreexplicit= BS5839-1 Level3qualification foranyindividual nominated intoaLeadrole

CONSUMER CAMPAIGN HAILED ASAMASSIVE SUCCESS Since launching ourcampaign to promote NICEIC certifiedbusinesses tohouseholders on 4September, we'vewitnessed a64%surgeinsearches for'NICEIC approved contractor' and'NICEIC domestic installer'.

Thisincrease ininterestproves thatthemessage islanding andthatmore householders aremaking thesmartchoice toactively seekoutbusinesses likeyours,by usingNICEIC's FindaTrusted Tradesperson.

Meanwhile, ourhow-tovideos withatwist haveracked upover200,000 viewsandcounting.

Thecampaign hasbeensosuccessful we'reextending it intothenewyear.This extension means we'llreachevenmorehomeowners, drivinghome theimportance of electrical safetyandtheneedforNICEIC certifiedbusinesses.

Seewww.youtube.com/user/niceicl

SPi!03-l Scheme TheBAFE Document Version B.Dis available viatheBAFE website.

Contactourteamwithany questions on03330156685and bafe@niceic.com.

ESFUPDATES SAFETV GUIDE FDA LOW VOLTAGE INSTALLATIONS Electrical Safety First's Best- Practice Guide No 2 (issue 4) gives updated guidance on the management of electrical safety and safe isolation procedures for low voltage installations.

Improvements to the Safe Isolation guide include: • Better layout of information • New up-to-date images throughout of documentation and equipment • A block diagram in section 2: legislation

• A flowchart incorporating single and 3-phase installations in section 5 • A summary of GS 38 in section 5 • Information in section 6 on additional precautions on neutral currents, mobile apps/remote controls Like all ESF Best-Practice Guides, Safe Isolation is free to download from www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/ blaklwkt/best-practice-guide-2-issue-4.pdf

Electrical @ Safety First TTltU1<\tlfc1n«11..,.,w_,.,

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AUTUMN 2023

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Introducing the MFT-X1, the biggest technical advancement in multifunction tester design for a generation. Rated CAT IV to 300 V, Megger UK have designed and built the MFT-X1 for use on all single and three-phase domestic, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.

■ True Loop™test with patented ConfidenceMeter™ ■ CertSuite™compatible Bluetooth®resulttransfer ■

Next generation 2-wire and 3-wire non-trip loop testing

■

User upgradeableoperating system

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High resolution0.0010 loop test

■ Automatic volt-drop measurement

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MFT-X1 .megger.com

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Stabilisedinsulationtest voltage

■ ConfigurableRCDand EV RDC-DDauto-sequencetests ■

Fastchange rechargeableplug-in battery pack

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Re-designedlead set and carry casesolution

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boomin low-carbon technologies has TESPINTADDUCESled"The to somemisinformed claimsthata whole new set of narrow occupations is needed 'ELECTRICIAN PLUS' aroundlow-carbontechnologyinstallation.

Thenew'Electrician Plus'conceptfromThe Electrotechnical SkillsPartnership [TESPJ is intended to showhowcentralqualified electricians areto theinstallation of lowcarbonandrenewable technologies.

TheElectrician Plusmodelhighlights qualified howoncesomeone reaches status,allthat is needed is electrician top-upCPD andqualifications in specific newtechnologies to enablesafe,compliant andcompetent installations.

ThenewElectrician Pluslogowill beused to endorse relevantqualifications to show theyareindustryapproved intermsof content andassessment.

Thisis simplynotthecase,"saysTESP chair RuthDevine.

"Asignificantproportion of activityis firmly withintheskillsremitof qualifiedmembers of theexistingworkforce;electricians areleading thewayinthisarea."

Forfurtherinformation aboutthescheme, visit www.electricalcareers.co.uk/electrician-plus

ELECTRICIAN

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ECA'S PROJECT NET ZERO ROADSHOW NICEIC hasbeenpartof ECA's ProjectNetZerolloadshow, attendingevents fromIJeovil Theday-longroadshows, whicharefreeto to Manchester. attend,areaboutgivingECA members anadvantage ina growingmarket.

They'repackedwithpresentations, demonstrations andpanel discussions.

Topicsinclude:adaptingyourbusinessmodel;upskilling andmanaging yourworkforce;andunderstanding thesupplychain.

November's locationsincludeBelfastandtheIsleof Man. Gotowww.bit.ly/ECAroadshow forfurtherinformation.

AUTUMN 2023 Connections 37

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'ASKNICEIC ONTHEROAD' ISBACK - ONTHEROAD NICEIC's newcustom-built van,theMotorOhm, isbackontheroadfortheAskNICEIC roadshow, andcouldsoonbepullingupatawholesaler nearyou.Thereareloadsof sessions throughout theday,soyoucanaccesstechnical supportatatimethatsuitsyou best.Don'tmissyourchance to grillourexperts,gainvaluable knowledge, grabthatallimportant freebaconbutty,andpickupsomeexclusive discounts andprizes.

Fordatesandlocations andto register,gotowww.niceic.com/events

NICEIC DEVELOPS SKILLELECTAIC'S FIRST SDLRA CHALLENGE Farthefirsttimeat SkillELECTRIC's UKfinalin November, contestantswill haveasolarPV-related task.

Detailsareunderwrapsahead oftheevent,butit hasbeen developed byNICEIC, which is alsoca-hasting a precompetition trainingsession farallfinalists.

"Thisnewtask helps preparethe nextgeneration of electricianswith the skills they'll needta supportthe law-carbonagendaand deliverthe infrastructure," saysAlexRobinson, NICEIC learningexperience manager[pictured].

SkillELECTRIC 2023's UKfinal takesplaceat Oldham College intheweekof13November.

SUCCESS ATEUADSKILLS FDA DANIEL KNOX DanielKnox[pictured],whoworksfor NICEIC registered company GPElectrical 6 Securityin Enniskillen, Northern Ireland,haspickedupa Medallion for Excellence at theEuroSkills aoaa competition in Poland.

AspartofTeam UK,Knoxwentheadto head withelectricians fromacrossEurope attheevent inGdansk.

Toprepforthecontest,heunderwent intensive trainingwithWorldSkills UKtraining manager GeoffShawofCardiff 6ValeCollege.

-------------------------·----------

'

EESS QUALIFICATION MDAE DATES ADDED Thesummer issueofConnections featuredthelaunchofour Electrical Energy Storage Systems qualification.

Thequalification wassuchahitthatit soldout,sonowwe'veaddedmoredates.

Don'tmissoutonyourchance to upskill.Forinformation on locations andavailability, visitwww.shop.niceic.com/renewables.

Learners undergo twodaysofface-to-face classroom-based trainingat anNICEIC-approved trainingcentre.Theythendoa practical-based assessment.

38 Connections AUTUMN 2023

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POWERQUALITY

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aoyouhave a technical query?

CALL OUR THEKEV OUESTIDNS HELPLINE ON

VOU'VE BEEN ASKING USAECENTLV.03330156628 DVEATD VDU, TEAM HELPLINE ...

Ourtechnical engineers areonhandtoanswer yourQuestions, covering topics including metalcablebaskets, certification reQuirements andTypeARCDs Type A RCDs are not available for the existing consumer unit. Can a Type A RCD from a different manufacturer be used if it fits the existing CCU? Generally, no. Regulation 536.4.203 covers the integration of devices and components, including those within consumer units. Within this Regulation it states 'incorporated devices and components shall only be those declared suitable according to the assembly manufacturer's instructions or literature.'

We have had to relocate the main distribution board within an installation. This has resulted in the earth fault loop impedances of the distribution circuits increasing such that they exceed the maximum permitted values for the circuits. Can this be recorded as a departure?

No. A departure is only permitted where the resulting degree of safety is not less than that which would be achieved through compliance with the requirements of BS 7671 (120.3). As the disconnection time of the circuits will be affected by the higher value of earth fault loop impedance, it would not be appropriate to record a departure and alternative methods of protection would need to be employed.

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A client has purchased two adjoining properties, each with its own electrical supply. They are planning to remove the dividing wall to make one large business unit. What considerations should be given to the earthing of the installations?

Where an installation has more than one earthing arrangement, the requirements of Regulation 542.1.3.3 would need to be considered. This requires any equipment connected to one earthing arrangement to be separated from equipment connected to the other earthing arrangement. This separation could be by means ofinsulated barriers or sufficient physical distance to prevent simultaneous contact between the two earthing systems.

Where this separation is not achievable or is impractical, then the option oflinking the two main earthing terminals to remove any possibility of a potential difference between the two earthing systems may be more suitable. All cables used to link the two systems and any bonding and earthing conductors, must be sized based on the most onerous conditions.

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Do multistrandedftexible cables require specific types of terminals for their connection?

BS EN 60228: 2005 Conductors of insulated cables classifies the different types of

conductors into the following four classes: • Class 1 - Solid conductors.

• Class 2 - Stranded conductors.

• Class 5 - Flexible conductors.

• Class 6 - Flexible conductors which are more flexible than Class 5.

Some types of equipment terminals are only suitable for certain classes of conductors. Where this is the case the terminals, or if space is insufficient on the product, the immediate unit packaging or technical data sheet should be identified with appropriate markings. Examples include: • "s" or "sol" - Solid conductors (Suitable for the connection of Class 1 conductors only) • "r" - Rigid conductors only (Suitable for the connection of Class 1 and Class 2 conductors) • "f'' - Flexible conductors (Suitable for the connection of Class 5 and Class 6 conductors) Where the equipment terminals are unmarked, they should be suitable for all conductor classes (see note 2 to 526.2), provided that good working practices and manufacturers' instructions are adhered to regarding torque settings and the like.

Further information on marking requirements for terminals can be found in the relevant product standards, including BS EN 60998 series, BS EN 60947-7 series and BS EN 61535.

When installing self-contained emergency lighting (battery contained within emergency fitting), is it necessary to use fire resistant cable or can standard insulated and sheathed cable be used?

The type of cable required for self-contained emergency lighting systems is covered by Clause 8.1 of BS 5266-1: 2016 Emergency lighting Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises.

This states that the wiring to the self-contained luminaires should be installed to the same standard as normal luminaires. This ensures that the self-contained luminaire switches on if the supply is lost due to fire damage to the cable supplying the normal duty lighting. This would not be the case if fire-protected cable were employed.

We have installed a number of multicore insulated and sheathed cables on a metal cable basket system.

Does the metal cable basket require earthing?

Generally, where insulated and sheathed cables are installed on a metal cable basket or tray system there is no requirement to earth or bond the basket or tray.

There are exceptions, such as: • where the designer of the installation has chosen to use the metallic tray as a circuit protective conductor, as permitted (543.2.l(vi)), in which case it shall be earthed, or • where the cable tray meets the definition of an extraneousconductive-part, in which case it shall be bonded.

What certification should I complete when requested to change electrical accessories such as socket-outlets and switches on a like-for-like basis?

Within Appendix 6 of BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, the notes for the person issuing the certificate advise that a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) may be used for such works as a means of recording test results to demonstrate electrical safety. The issuing of a MEIWC therefore offers a convenient means ofrecordingtest results.

Other recording means, such as a job sheet, invoice or covering letter, are also acceptable.

D SamDonaghy Headof technicaladviceand McFarlane D GeorgeGeorgiou practiceH Duncan

D MarkBarnes-Aider (I PaulDudley ll CraigKempD LeeDaglishIII BobbyMullarkey 111 MarkCooper [IT] JonathanDare mCraigCunningham iEISteveClifton

AUTUMN 2023

Connedions 43

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Objective: The main focus of this article is to give an introduction to overload current and how the requirements of BS 7671 are to be applied. This will enable contractors to make an informed decision during the design stage of an installation. This will be complemented using a typical example.

Introduction Part 2 of BS 7671 defines an overload current as being an overcurrent occurring in a circuit which is electrically sound.

An overcurrent may result from 'overworked' electrical or electromechanical equipment, or by the user either deliberately or unintentionally, connecting equipment such that the current exceeds that which the circuit was designed to carry.

Fig 1 identifies the relationship between the different conditions that may cause an overcurrent. This article will only consider overload conditions.

A subsequent article will look at shortcircuit current.

Types ofloads It should be remembered that not all electrical loads are liable to overload. Loads that are typically resistive in nature, including electric showers, immersion heater elements, instantaneous water heaters, convector heaters and the like, are unable to draw more than their rated current. In such cases, a device providing protection against overload need not be provided (433.3.1 (ii)).

However, where individual loads that are inherently not liable to overload are connected to a circuit, such as a ring final circuit, that circuit can be subjected to overload.

All circuits, whether they are liable to overload or not, must be protected against fault current, with a few exceptions (434.3).

46 ConnectionsAUTUMN 2023

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AN OVERCURRENT A current exceeding the rated value of a conductor.

An overcurrent can be either:

AN OVERLOAD An overcurrent in a circuit that is electrically sound.

(Overloads are normally of moderate magnitude but last for a comparatively long time.)

A FAULTCURRENT

....:::::======::J A current resulting from a fault.

(Fault currents are high magnitude (kA)

r.:======::i but hopefully only last a short time.)

A fault current can be either:

AN EARTHFAULTCURRENT

A SHORT-CIRCUITCURRENT

An overcurrent resulting from a fault of negligible impedance between a live conductor and an exposed-conductive-part or a protective conductor.

An overcurrent resulting from a fault of negligible impedance between live conductors.

Fig 1 Terms used in Part 2 of BS 7671 to describe types of overcurrent

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Ring finalcircuits Ring final circuits may be considered as a special case, in which to minimise the risk of overload, Regulation 433.1.204 details particular conditions that need to be applied, including: • socket-outlets and accessories are manufactured to BS 1363 and supplied through a ring final circuit with or without unfused spurs, protected by a 30 A or 32 A protective device; • the circuit must be wired with copper conductors having line and neutral conductors with a minimum crosssectional area (csa) of2.5 mm 2 (where 2-core mineral insulated cables conforming to BS EN 60702-1 are used, a csa ofl.5 mm 2 is permitted); • the current-carrying capacity (Iz) of the cable, when corrected for the particular installation conditions is not less than 20A;and • the load current in any part of the circuit is unlikely to exceed the current-carrying capacity of the cable for long periods.

Coordination between conductor andoverload protective device Fig 2 outlines a typical circuit, indicating the overload protective device (normally a circuit-breaker or fuse), the circuit conductors (cable) and the load.

When an overload occurs, the protective device is designed to automatically disconnect the circuit by means of the circuit-breaker tripping or fuse rupturing.

Should an overload occur in a circuit where there is no overload protection provided, the temperature of the circuit conductors is liable to increase significantly, which over time may lead to damage ofinsulation,joints and terminations of the conductors and/or their surroundings.

To protect against such thermal distress, any circuit design must properly coordinate the currentcarrying capacity of the conductors and the anticipated load current with

the characteristics of the overload protective device (see Table 1).

With the exception ofrewireable fuses to BS 3036, where the operating characteristics of a protective device meet the requirements of 433.1.1, as reproduced in the following expressions (i) & (ii), protection against overload will be provided:

Expression (i): lbslnslz The design current of the circuit (Ib)must be less than or equal to the current rating or current setting of the protective device (I,), which must be less than or equal to (Iz),the lowest current-carrying capacity of the conductors forming the circuit.

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AUTUMN2023 Connedions 47

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JordanDaviesfrom Amigo Electricaltold us: "We usethe RSWBas standardnow for all our first fixing. It's so convenient, cost-effectiveand is a hugetime-saver."

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Expression (ii): l2s1,451z The current causing effective operation of the protective device CI2)must not exceed 1.45 times the lowest of the currentcarrying capacity Ciz)of any of the conductors of the circuit.

Expression (i) is self-explanatory.

However, it is worthwhile considering what expression (ii) means for the designer.

Worked example Consider a user replaceable 16 A gG fuse to BS 88-3. BS HD 60269-3 states that: • non- fusing current I 1 is 1.25 In (1.25 x 16 = 20 A) for 1 hour, and • fusing current I2 is 1.6 In (1.6 x 16 = 25.6A).

Cable manufacturers must ensure that PVC or XLPE insulated cables can safely withstand overload currents up to 1.45 times their continuous current rating without showing any indication of deterioration.

Therefore, expression (ii) would be satisfied if, for a 16 A fuse, 1.6 Ins 1.45 Iz. Using the same 16 A fuse, a shortterm overload of20 A (1.25 In x 16 A) could be sustained for 1 hour, after which time the fuse element will weaken and break. If during this process the overload was to increase to 25.6 A (1.6 In x 16 A), the fuse would rupture within the hour without causing any undue stress on the cable or associated equipment.

Additionally, where a protective device, meeting one of the standards in regulation 433.1.201 is installed, compliance with the expressions (i) and (ii) will also result in compliance with indent (iii) ofregulation 433.1.1.

Location ofoverload protective devices In general, and except where regulation 433.2.2 or 433.3 apply, a device for overload protection is required at the point where a reduction occurs in the current-carrying capacity of the conductors of the installation (433.2.1).

If there are no outlets or spurs after the reduction in cross-sectional area, the protective device may be installed along the run of that conductor provided that: • Protection against fault current is provided (434), or • The length ofrun before the overload protection device does not exceed 3 m, and the circuit is installed in a manner that reduces to a minimum the risk of: • a fault, and • fire or danger to persons (433.2.2).

Omission ofoverload protective devices Except where a location presents a risk of fire or explosion, overload protection need not be provided: • For a conductor, • on the load side of a point where a reduction in the value of currentcarrying capacity occurs if the conductor is effectively protected against overload by a protective device installed on the supply side of that point, or • which, because of the characteristics of the load or the supply, is not likely to carry overload current.

• Where the DNO agrees that their cutout(s) provide(s) overload protection between the origin and the main distribution point of the installation (so long as overload protection is provided at that point) (433.3.1).

Overload protection can also be omitted for safety reasons, where unexpected disconnection of supply could cause danger or damage (433.3.3).

Omission of overload protection is discussed in further detail in another article in this issue of Connections.

Summary An overload may be considered as an overcurrent occurring in a healthy circuit resulting from overworked electrical equipment, or as a consequence of the connected load exceeding the current that the circuit was designed to carry.

To prevent thermal distress and damage to the circuit conductors, the protective device is designed to automatically disconnect the circuit in the event of an overload. As such, any circuit design must properly coordinate the current-carrying capacity of the conductors and the anticipated load current with the characteristics of the overload protective device.

Electrical loads such as electric showers, immersion heaters, convector heaters and the like typically have resistive characteristics and are unable to draw more current than their current rating and are therefore unable to overload. In such cases, a device providing protection against overload need not be provided.

However, where individual loads that are inherently not liable to overload are connected to a circuit, such as a ring final circuit, that circuit can be subjected to overload.

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OMISSION OF OVERLORD PROTECTION Objective: This article follows on from the preceding article in this issue which summarises the general requirements of BS 7671 in respect of protection against overload. This article looks specifically at circumstances where the provision of overload protection may be omitted.

Omission ofoverload protection In general, a device for overload protection is required at the point where a reduction occurs in the currentcarrying capacity of the conductors of the installation.

However, except where a location presents a risk of fire or explosion, overload protection need not be provided: • For a conductor: • on the load side of a point where a reduction in the value of currentcarrying capacity occurs if the conductor is effectively protected against overload by a protective device installed on the supply side of that point, or • which, because of the characteristics of the load or the supply, is not likely to carry overload current; • Where the Distributor agrees that their overload device(s) provide(s) overload protection between the origin and the main distribution point of the installation (so long as overload protection is provided at that point) (433.3.1).

Examples ofomission ofoverload grotection forallorpartofacircuit inaccordance with regulation 433.3.1 Varying conductor sizes in a circuit (433.3.l(i)) BS 7671 permits the variation of conductor size where heat dissipation varies along the length of a circuit but requires the current-carrying capacity of the cable to be appropriate for the part of the route where it is installed (523.8). An example of this is where part of a circuit passes through an area of significantly higher ambient temperature or through thermal insulation (see Fig 1).

6.0 mm 2 4-core SWAcable

Rather than installing conductors of a single size which would be oversized for the majority of the circuit length, cross-sectional area may be increased for only that part of the circuit run where this is necessary.

In such cases, protection against overload protection is not required at the point ofreduction of crosssectional area where the coordination requirements ofregulation group 433.1 are met between the smallest conductor and the protective device at the origin of circuit.

Motor circuits (433.3.l(ii)) It is common to place the overload protection of a motor at the 'load' end of the circuit as an integral part of

Metallic adaptable box where conductor size increases

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Overload protection of circuits can also be omitted for safety reasons, where unexpected disconnection of supply could cause danger or damage.

Regulation 433.3.3 gives a number of examples of where this would be appropriate, including the secondary of a current transformer and circuits supplying safety services.

Fig 1 Example of varying conductor size of a circuit not requiring overload protection (433.3.1 (i))

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the starting equipment. The circuit supplying the starter is therefore incapable of being overloaded. Fault protection is provided by the overcurrent protective device (OCPD) at the origin of the circuit. The benefit of such an arrangement is that certain OCPDs, if correctly selected/set to provide overload protection will operate when the motor starts as a result of the starting current.

Circuits supplying showers, instantaneous water heaters and limited loads (433.3.l(ii)) Circuits supplying 'electric' showers and other instantaneous water heaters cannot by their nature cause an overload. As a result, overload protection is not necessary and the OCPD need only provide fault protection.

Similarly, the flexible cables of pendant lamps and other light fittings connected to a ceiling rose will not be exposed to overload current due to the nature of the load and so overload protection does not need to be provided despite the reduction in conductor size and current-carrying capacity when compared to that of the fixed wiring of the lighting circuit (see Fig 2).

Consumer's meter tails (433.3.l(iii)) Overload protection does not need to be provided for the meter tails between the supplier's metering equipment and the first piece of consumer's equipment where the conditions specified by the distributor are met; see indent (iii) of Regulation 433.3.1 (see Fig3).

1.5 mm' twin & earth

Flexible cable with

1. Neutrals 2. Line Loop-in 3. Switch wire

Fig 2 Example of reduction in conductor size not requiring overload protection (433.3.1 (ii))

Isolator switch (where fitted)

Circuit protective conductors

Consumer tails

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Summary A protective device must be provided to break any overcurrent in the circuit conductors before the overcurrent causes damage to insulation, connections, joints, terminations or the surroundings of the conductors (430.3).

BS 7671 also allows for the omission of overload protection where its provision may present a risk of damage or danger (433.3.3), protection is provided by another means, or where it is not possible for an overload to occur (433.3.1).

/

0.75 mm 2 live conductors

Main switch ----

Service fuse provides overload protection of consumer tails (see Regulation 433.3.1. indent (iii))

Earthing conductor

Fig 3 A service fuse can provide overload protection of meter tails (433.3.1 (iii))

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CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE GOES TO38,000 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS. -

Toadvertiseinfutureissues, pleasecontactTola0nasanya on02037717187 oremailtola.onasanya@thinkpublishing.co.uk

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Reduceyourbills...

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Objective: This is the first article of a series looking at electrical installations in medical locations, and will consider the scope of Section 710 of BS 7671 including some of the design requirements. Consideration will also be given to the use of system Grouping and how the classification of a safety service supply given in Section 560 is applied to such medical locations.

Introduction The intention of Section 710 is to provide enhanced reliability for the electrical installation for, and greater electrical safety within, the medical environment for both patients and medical staff.

The risk to a patient is greatly increased in a medical location due to: • the threat from failure of the supply to medical equipment, especially that used for life support; and • the natural reduction in body resistance inherent with open wounds, intrusive procedures and subsequent decline in patient defensive capacity either from induced medication or while anaesthetised.

As with all the special locations in Part 7, the requirements for Section 710 supplement or modify the general requirements of BS 7671 and are intended for those parts of the electrical installation in locations providing patient care, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Although, the requirements do not apply to items of medical electrical equipment.

The scope of Section 710 outlines particular requirements applicable to patient healthcare centres and facilities including: • hospitals; • private clinics; • medical and dental practices; • dedicated medical rooms in the workplace; and

• patient medical research establishments.

The requirements may also be applied to veterinary clinics, where applicable.

Healthcare-related construction contracts must also meet the requirements specified in the supporting information for healthcare premises outlined in the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 0601 Electrical services supply and distribution, and 06-02 Electrical safety guidance for low voltage systems, published by the Department of Health.

Equivalent guidance documents are available for the devolved administrations: Scotland (SHTM), Wales (WHTM) and Northern Ireland (HTM) (Note 6 to regulation 710.1 refers).

Although, there are often subtle differences in the approach between BS 7671 and the specific HTM, the designer should always comply with the requirements of BS 7671. Where the standard does not provide sufficient information on a particular matter or detail, guidance in the relevant HTM should then be applied. However, such guidance should not contradict the requirements of BS 7671.

Assessment ofgeneral characteristics Part 3 of BS 7671 outlines the characteristics that need to be assessed for all electrical installations. The designer having responsibility of the electrical installation, within

a medical location, is required to determine both the appropriate Group into which a particular medical location falls, and the classification that is to be applied to the electrical safety services in those locations.

The classification of a medical location is typically based on the: • type of physical contact between the patient and the applied parts' of medical equipment (ME) or ME systems; • threat to patient safety in the event of a loss of supply; and • purpose for which the location is to be used.

To identify the appropriate level of classification that should be applied, based on the intended medical procedures likely to take place within the location, it is essential for the electrical installation designer to liaise with medical/clinical specialists (710.3).

To ensure safety in a medical location, where the location is to be used for multiple procedures or medical treatments, the requirements applicable to the most onerous usage should be applied.

Grouping The guidance given in Table 1, highlights the definitions for Groups 0, 1 and 2 locations identified in Part 2 of BS 7671, and provides, based on AnnexA710 of Section 710, some examples ofrooms likely to be included in each Group.

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l Figl Group 2 medical location (operating theatre) It remains the responsibility of the designer in consultation with the relevant clinical staff to determine the appropriate Group for a particular location (710.3). It should also be borne in mind that the listing is not definitive.

Classification of asafetyservice As described previously, the failure of an electrical supply in a medical location could cause danger to life.

Appropriate safety services are therefore necessary to prevent such risk, and may typically include the provision for a standby supply for an operating theatre light.

Regulation 560.4.1 provides the classification of supplies for safety services. Section 710 requires such types of automatic supplies for safety services to be operational within a maximum changeover time designated for a particular area.

Table A710 of the annex to Section 710 provides guidance on the maximum permissible changeover times in

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~ Table 1 Definitions of the Groups, and typical examples oflocations Group No Group definition

Examples of medical locations in Group

0

Medical location where no applied parts are intended to be used and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply cannot cause danger to life.

Massage room

1

Medical location where discontinuity (failure) of the electrical supply does not represent a threat to the safety of the patient and where applied parts are intended to be used: • externally • invasively to any part of the body except where Group 2 applies.

Massage room Bedrooms Delivery room ECG, EEG, EHG room Endoscopic room Examination or treatment room Urology room Radiological diagnostic and therapy room Hydrotherapy room Physiotherapy room Haemodialysis room Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room Nuclear medicine

2

Medical location where applied parts are intended to be used, and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply can cause danger to life, in applications such as: • intracardiac 2 procedures • vital treatments • surgical operations.

Radiological diagnostic and therapy room Anaesthetic area Operating theatre Operating preparation room Operating plaster room Operating recovery room Heart catheterisation room Intensive care room Angiographic examination room Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room Premature baby room Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU)

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typical medical locations. For example, within bedrooms and massage rooms a changeover time greater than 0.5 s and not exceeding 15 s is recommended while a time not exceeding 0.5 s is recommended for supplies to luminaires and life-support equipment in locations such as operating theatres.

Further design considerations The requirements for other sections in Part 7 of BS 7671 may also need to be considered, particularly where it is necessary to modify the electrical installation due to a change of utilisation for the location. For example, where such intended work includes areas containing a bath or shower (701), or for mobile medical or transportable units (717).

Care should be taken to ensure that any such installations, or necessary

work, do not influence or compromise the level of safety imposed by Section 710, including the effects from: • fault current; • electromagnetic interference (EMI); • electromagnetic compatibility (EMC);or • fire.

Although BS 7671 should not be applied retrospectively, when considering electrical work in an existing medical location, every intended alteration or addition should be preceded by a full analysis ofrisk to ensure that the intended work is appropriate and not liable to compromise the level of safety.

Summary This article outlines some of the considerations given in the scope of Section 710 of BS 7671 for various types of medical facilities. The requirements

for specific Groups and safety service supply classifications utilised within a medical/healthcare environment have also been considered.

Subsequent technical articles will consider the functionality of medical IT systems, and the requirements for achieving shock protection in such locations.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Brandon Medical for providing the image used within this article.

Footnotes 1 Applied parts are parts of medical electrical equipment that necessarily come into physical contact with the patient in normal use, for medical electrical equipment or a medical electrical system to perform its function. See Definitions relating to medical locations.

2 An intracardiac procedure is where an electrical conductor is placed within the heart of a patient or is likely to come into contact with the heart, such conductor being accessible outside the patient's body. In this context, an electrical conductor includes insulated wires such as cardiac pacing electrodes or intracardiac ECG electrodes, or insulated tubes filled with conducting-fluids. See Definitions relating to medical locations.

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FUSED TEST TDUSE LEADS?

Objective: Many electricians might assume that the use of fuse-protected leads is unnecessary when carrying out 'dead'testing on circuits proven to be de-energised by a recognised safe isolation procedure. Equally, many might think that such leads are always required when testing energised circuits or equipment. This article discusses the issues that will influence the decision as to whether or not fused leads need to be employed when using electrical test instruments.

The general safety requirements for electrical test instruments are given in the BS EN IEC 61010 series of standards (Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use), with the specific requirements for hand- held and hand-manipulated probe assemblies for electrical test and measurement covered

by BS EN IEC 61010-031.

Conformity with the relevant parts of this multi-part standard satisfies the product certification requirements of the Low Voltage Directive and the corresponding UK Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.

More specific requirements for electrical test instruments are given in the relevant parts of the BS EN 61557 and BS EN IEC 61557 series (Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1,000 V AC and 1,500 V DC - Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring

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of protective measures). Neither of these series of standards specifically requires the use offused test leads for a particular application.

If an instrument for testing continuity, insulation resistance, loop impedance, earth electrode resistance or any combination of these conforms to BS EN IEC 61010 or BS EN 61557/ BS EN IEC 61557, it should not be necessary to use fused leads since safety is intrinsic within the design of the instrument when used in conjunction with the leads supplied with the instrument. It should be noted, however, that such instruments do not protect against faults occurring between a single test lead and earth when the test probe is connected to an energised circuit, for example if a test lead were to be trapped in an electrical cabinet door.

In the case of those tests that are intended to be carried out with the installation de-energised, there

should be no risk of electric shock if the circuit or equipment under test has been isolated using an appropriate safe isolation procedure 1.

The Health and Safety Executive publication Electrical test equipment for use on low voltage electrical systems (GS38) gives guidance on the safety requirements for the design oftest probes and leads for use with test instruments, test lamps and indicators used to detect the presence (or absence) of voltage. Although not specifically intended, this guidance is often applied to leads used with other test instruments.

While the leads provided with a test instrument meeting the requirements of the relevant parts of BS EN IEC 61010 or BS EN 61557/ BS EN IEC 61557 should be adequate for the intended use of the instrument, this might not be the case for an instrument that does not conform to those standards. In such cases, the use offused leads is recommended.

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In the case of a multimeter, an incorrect range setting could be selected inadvertently, allowing an excessive current to pass through the instrument and leads. It is for this reason that GS3 8 recommends (in paragraph 21) that fused leads should be used with such test instruments.

It should be noted, however, that merely using fused leads with an otherwise unsuitable test instrument will not necessarily make it safe to use.

In the case of a test to establish the presence or absence of voltage, the use of a proprietary test lamp or 2-pole voltage detector suitable

for the working voltage is preferred (paragraph 19 of GS38 refers).

It is essential that the leads for use with any type of test instrument that are intended to be applied to live terminals at low voltage are inspected prior to each use to confirm that they remain in a satisfactory condition.

Regardless of whether fused or unfused leads are used, the length of exposed tip on the test probes should be kept as short as possible to minimise the possibility of arcing, flashover or electric shock occurring.

GS38 recommends that probes are insulated to leave no more than 4 mm

Electrical testequipment for use onlowvoltageelectricalsystems Guidance Note GS38 (Fourth edition) This general series guidance note is aimed at peope (including electricians, electrical contractors, test supervisors, technicians, mcnagers, tradespeople and/ or app'iance retailers/repairers etc) who use electrical test equipment on low voltage electrical systems and equipment. This fourth edition is updated to include current

test equipment:the guidancehas not fundamentallyChangedfrom the previous verS1on.

The Electricityat Work Regulations1989 reqUrethose in controlof al or pert of an electrical::,y::,tem to ensure~ is safe to use and maintainedin a safe condition.

The Regulationspermitfew circunstanceswhereit is acceptablefor liveworkilg activitiesto be carriedout on electricalequipmentor systems.this includes electrical testing and fault finding. Wherever possible, all work on electrical systems GS38 (Fourth edition) Published 2015

should be carried out with the system dead. This includes electrical testing where dead tests are often as effective as live measurements. This document provides advice and gudance on how to acheve this.

and, where practicable, only 2 mm or less of exposed tip. Alternatively, spring-loaded, retracting shields may be used (paragraph 9 refers).

Where there is any doubt as to whether the presence offuses and/ or resistances in fused lead sets will adversely affect the functionality or safety of the test instrument the advice of the manufacturer should be sought.

Further information about the selection oftest probes, leads, test lamps and voltage indicating devices can be found in GS38, which may be downloaded free of charge from www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ gs38.htm Footnote 1 See ESF Best Practice Guide No.2 Issue 3 - Guidance on the management

of electrical safety and safe isolation procedures for low voltage installations.

This may be downloaded, free of charge, from electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/ professional-resources/best-practice-guides/

Contents Introduction 2 Thelaw 2 Whatis theriskof injury?3 Whatcausesaccidents?

3 4 Testequipment

Safesystems ofwork 7 Further reading9 Further information 9

HSE Books

Page 1 019

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In the following multiple-choice questions you should choose one of the four options that, in your opinion, is the correct answer. You may find it useful to refer to the technical articles in this issue of Connections and BS 7671:2018+A2:2022.

The answers to the questions, accompanied by a briefrationale, can be found at the end of the technical section.

1. An overload current is an overcurrent caused by: a. An earth fault b. A short-circuit c. An open-circuit in a live conductor d. An excessive loading on an electrically sound circuit

2. Whichofthefollowinggivesthe correct expression for coordination between a conductor and an overload protective device? a. Jb;,,Jnsiz b. Ibsinsiz c. JbsJn;,,Iz d. Jb;,,Jn;,,Jz 3. Where overload protection is being provided by a semi-enclosed rewireable fuse, which one of the following correction factors should be applied when calculating the required current-carrying capacity of a conductor? a. 0.3036 b. 0.725 c. 0.8 d. 0.95

4. When considering medical equipment, what is meant by the term 'applied parts': a. Equipment used by clinical specialists and physicians b. Equipment requiring a UPS in case of supply failure c. Equipment that comes into physical contact with the patient d. Equipment requiring a clean supply 5. A Group 2 medical location is a location where: a. Discontinuity (failure) of the electrical supply does not represent a threat to the safety of the patient and where applied parts are intended to be used. b. No applied parts are intended to be used and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply cannot cause danger to life. c. Applied parts are intended to be used, and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply can cause danger to life. d. Discontinuity (failure) of the electrical supply may represent a threat to the safety of the patient and where applied parts are not intended to be used.

6. In the event of supply failure, what maximum changeover time is typically required for safety supplies to luminaires and life-support medical equipment in a Group 2 location. a. 0.5s b. 5s C. 15s d. 50s

7. Which of the following Health and Safety Executive publications contains guidance on the selection and use oftest probes, leads and voltage detecting devices? a. GS38 b. HSG33 C. HSR25 d. INDG247 8. It is recommended that the amount of tip exposed on test instrument probes should be kept a short as possible. Where practicable, the length of exposed tip should not exceed: a. 1mm b. 2mm c. 4mm d. 8mm 9. Overload protection is required for: a. Circuits in locations presenting a fire risk or risk of explosion b. In all line conductors in a circuit in an IT system protected by RCD c. The secondary circuit of a current transformer d. A ring final circuit utilising accessories to BS 1363.

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Explanation

BS7671 or other reference

1.

d.

An overload current occurs in a circuit which is electrically sound.

Part 2 (Definitions)

2.

b.

The correct expression is given as Ib s Ins Iz

433.1.1

3.

b.

Compliance with condition (iii) of 433.1.1 CI2s 1.45 x Iz) is achieved for semi-enclosed rewireable fuses conforming to BS 3036 where its rated current Un) does not exceed 0.725 times the current-carrying capacity Ciz)of the lowest rated conductor in the circuit being protected.

433.1.202

4.

c.

The term 'applied parts' refers to medical equipment (ME) that comes into physical contact with the patient in normal use to perform its function.

Part 2 (Definitions)

5.

c.

A Group 2 location is defined as a Medical location where applied parts are intended to be used, and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply can cause danger to life, in applications such as intracardiac procedures and vital treatments and surgical operations.

Part 2 (Definitions)

6.

a.

A time less than or equal to 0.5 sis required for changeover safety supplies to luminaires and life-support medical equipment in operating theatre locations.

710.560.6.1.1

7.

a.

Guidance on the selection and use oftest probes, leads and voltage detecting devices GS38 Electrical test equipment for use on low voltage electrical systems.

HSEGS38

HSG33 covers safety in roof work.

HSR25 gives guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

INDG24 7 advises on electrical safety for entertainers.

8.

c.

HSE publication GS38 recommends that probes are insulated to leave no more than 4 mm of exposed tip. It further recommends that, preferably, no more than 2 mm of tip is exposed.

HSEGS38

9.

d.

There are no exemptions for omission of overload protection for ring final circuits in Section 443, whereas there are for the other three options.

433.1.204

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It will generate 3,880 cubic metres of fossil-free hydrogen an hour. As well as fuelling the furnaces to heat steel, the hydrogen can go into trucks powered by fuel cells, Ovako says, and any excess heat will go to local district heating networks.

Steel accounts for 8% of global emissions, so if this solution is rolled out, it could really make a difference.

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INDUSTRIAL HEAT CELLS FROM SCARP METAL AND ROCK Thermal storage technology company Caldera has received £4.3m via the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero's Industrial Fuel Switching Competition to build a full-scale, industrial-size demonstrator. The company is creating the sustainable heat storage material (AKA volcanic rocks and recycled aluminium) in Southampton (hometown ofNICEIC's Paul Collins).

Caldera's electric storage boiler will use intelligent circuitry to enable smart switching from grid to solar or other low carbon sources, The Engineer explains. "Each heat storage unit will comprise 10 solid heat cells, each of which can store 200kWh, offering a total of 2MWh storage," the magazine writes. "These modular units can be scaled up to deliver as much capacity as needed." This should be up and running in 2025.

Ina caveunder Finland's oldest city,a heatpumping station extracts thermal energy fromwastewater to produce heatforthedistrict heating network.

Ancl waterthat'scooled clown bythepumping station is usedfordistrict cooling.

Kakolanmaki The€130m wastewater plant generates enough hotwatertoheat12,aaa homes inTurku. mtimesmore It produces almost energy thanit consumes, ancl hashalved itsannual carbon clioxicle emissions since i!Ol7 tom,aaatonnes.

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Installer Cemmunity

Once you become an Expert Installer, you will be invited to join the Aico Installer Community - a connected online platform built to support Expert Installers.

Visit the website to sign-up.

Members of the community are eligible to participate in Aico's free-of-charge City & Guilds Assured Training - Domestic Fire & CO Alarm Systems.

000@09 www.aico.co.uk

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an Ei Company

I 01691 664100 I enquiries@aico.co.uk

The European Market Leader in Home Life Safety

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