Connections Summer 2023

It's a job with a difference as Dale Electrical Services sets sail to upgrade buildings on an RSPB reserve

ByAmandaBirch

Imagine your working day involves a boat trip to one of the UK's best places for wildlife. David Lewis, director of Dale Electrical Services, experienced this when he upgraded the electrical system to one of Ramsey Island's buildings.

Situated off St David's Head in Pembrokeshire, the RSPB reserve of259 hectares has an existing farmhouse, associated outbuildings and a bungalow. Lewis has done electrical work on all three since 2018, but it's the 100-year-old former hunting lodge or bungalow that has kept him busy over the last two years.

Lewis' appointment came about by word of mouth. The island's former warden discovered that Lewis was an electrician and lived locally on the mainland. The RSPB realised the buildings urgently needed an EICR, which Lewis did. He also carried out the most pressing improvements to the farmhouse and its outbuildings.

For the more substantial two-phased refurbishment of the bungalow, Lewis didn't have to tender. Instead, he provided an estimate for the work.

The bungalow is on the north end of the island and has its own power supply. The stone building has existing solar panels on the roof, battery storage and a small generator in the shed. Lewis had to completely rewire the bungalow and install a

There were several challenging aspects with this job, says Lewis, but the most technically difficult was the fire alarm system as he had never installed one before. Knowing where to place the detectors was tricky as they had to be a maximum distance from each other and a minimum distance from light fittings and walls. Drilling through 3ft-thick stone walls to run cables was also problematic and time-consuming. Getting equipment across in the boat was challenging too, as everything had to be wrapped in plastic to keep it dry.

new fire alarm system and new emergency lighting, which is switchable maintained. He also fitted additional electrical sockets, USB sockets and new LED strip lights in the kitchen, and installed a new 2.5kW water heater.

"Also, it's a nightmare if you forget something. You can't just pop out to the shops -everything has to be carefully planned," says Lewis. "But it's worth it. The weather is usually nice on the island as you can only cross during good conditions, and seeing the Pembrokeshire coast and deer walking around is amazing."

11Drillingthrough3ft-thick stonewallstoruncableswas problematicandtime-consuming"

Connections

©2023

ISSN 2042-5732 www.niceic.com

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Connections welcomes ideas for contributions. Please email connections@thinkpublishing.co.uk

OVERTD VDU, PAUL ...

Welcome to the summer issue of Connections and what a busy season it has been. Significant progress has been made on the policy front, particularly with the advancement of the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill in England, which is now an official Act.

This is a major step forward, paving the way for mandatory Electrical Safety Checks in social housing in England, similar to those seen in the private rented sector. In the coming months, we'll closely monitor progress and collaborate with government to ensure that our collective views are heard, and that they contribute to the development of the resulting law. More details will be provided on this in due course, so stay tuned for updates.

OURTOP PRIORITIES FDRVDU

Promotethebrand toconsumers Staytunedfor policyupdates Considertrainingat yourownpremises

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.

Continuing with Electrical Safety Checks and legislation, the final transition period for the Fitness for Human Habitation law is set to end on 1 December in Wales. As part of this, landlords are required to have an up-todate Electrical Safety Check in place by this date, and they will increasingly look to you to perform the necessary work to keep them on the right side of the law.

Another important development is in the renewables sector as MCS issued a public consultation, sharing proposals to restructure the scheme. We gave a detailed and thorough response and will keep you updated.

Perhaps the most far-reaching introduction, however, is that of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The work undertaken by the BSR will play a crucial role in shaping the future development and safety standards in England and across the UK. To learn more about the BSR and its impact on you, go to page 24.

I'd also like to bring your attention to our exciting new consumer campaign (see page 31). It's a response to your request for us to promote the NICEIC brand to consumers consistently, ensuring that they recognise the benefits of using NICE IC certified businesses. The campaign, which kicks off this month, will do just that and there's more to come as we continue our efforts on this front.

Enjoy this issue and the rest of the summer.

Paul Collins Technical director, NICEIC

CATCHING SOMERAVS

Ash Integrated Services harnesses solar power for The Manchester College

WordsbyAmandaBirch

Ash Integrated Services has installed The Manchester College's biggest solar panel array, as part of the further education institution's commitment to becoming carbon neutral.

The installation - at Openshaw campus to the east of the city centrewill not only reduce its carbon emissions but help Greater Manchester achieve its target of becoming a carbon-neutral city region by 2038.

The Manchester-based mechanical and electrical (M&E) contractor installed 875 solar panels, covering 1,750m 2 on the roof of the two-storey Openshaw campus building.

"At the beginning of the energy crisis, their energy bills went up by approximately 25% overnight," says Antony Grace, co-founder and director of Ash Integrated Services. "It's estimated that the college will have paid for the solar panel installation in three years, thanks to the reduced energy bills."

Once Ash was appointed, the project's design was completed, which included an electrical design for the distribution circuit to the main control panel. The building's trapezoidal roofis pitched at 5° -ideal conditions for solar panels.

LONGi tier one solar panels were specified. The design for the photovoltaic (PV) array ensured that the panels were wired in a particular way to maximise their efficiency. A maximum of 20 panels were connected by a string (or pair of cables) with 45 strings installed across the system. These were placed on containment trays located across the roof and into the first-floor plant room where they are connected to three inverters.

Each ll0kW inverter converts direct current electricity captured by the solar panels into an alternating current that is required to power appliances on the campus.

The 395kW PV array generates enough energy to power the electric vehicle charging points, lighting and air conditioning, and to heat water and support equipment in the campus's workshops and kitchens. Cost and limited space mean Openshaw doesn't have battery storage, but there are plans to add that in the future.

Ash's team had to work on a live site with students in lessons and exams. To minimise disruption and noise, they regularly started at 5am and worked at weekends.

Once everything was installed, there was the nail-biting stage when it all had to be shut down to do the final connections in readiness for the witness testing.

"There were a few technical issues that you always get with the programming of the inverters, but it only took a few hours to sort out," says Grace. "The client is very happy with our work and we are already talking about another installation of solar panels for the college."

"It'sestimatedthatthecollege willhavepaidforthesolarpanel installationinthreeyears,thanks tothereducedenergybills"

ANTON',1GRACE,ASHINTEGRATEDSERVICES

3TIPSMANAGING ADAUGHTER

Thinkingabouttakingona familymember?Followthese goldenrules:

Bossfirst,parentsecond:While you'reatwork,especiallyinfront ofotherstafforcustomers,keep yourrelationshipprofessional. Consideraskingyoursonor daughtertocallyoubyyourfirst nameinsteadofMum/Dad,and keepallfamilysquabblesseparate fromwork.

Naspecialtreatment:Itmaybe temptingtoallowyoursonor daughterextratimeofforeven ahighersalarythantherole demands-butthisisamistake. Ifyoutakeonothersubbieslater, itwillcausebadfeeling,and preferentialtreatmentmayleadto anerosionofworkethic.

Anpolicy:Customers andcolleaguesneedtofeelthat theycantalktoyouifyourson ordaughter'sworkisn'tup toscratch,orthereareother concerns.Makeitclearthatyou areopentoallfeedbackandwill actonitjustasyouwouldwitha non-familymember.

It's a dream come true. Word has spread about your one-person band: customers love you, the online reviews are all fivestar, and the jobs are pouring in. There's one problem though ...You've got more work coming in than you can handle on your own. It's time to bring on a trusted subbie, employee or apprentice.

Whentotaketheplunge

"I always felt the time to seriously consider taking on a worker was when the work begins to feel overwhelming," says James Emptage, now an assessor for NICEIC, who used to run his own business. "Youcan no longer live a balanced working and social life and end up doing all your office workquotes, invoices, certification, banking -in the evenings."

For Matt Figgett, founder of12-year-old ATEM Electrical in Kent, taking on his first subbie was a no-brainer. "Aclient was quickly impressed by the way I ran a couple of sites for them, and asked me to take on more projects," he says. "That's when I knew I needed to bring on more people." ATEM now has 18 people on the books.

Subbie,employee,apprentice?

If you need skilled help on projects right now, you may want to bring on a subcontractor. That's what Figgett did. "I built it up using subbies I'd worked with over the years," he says.

However, Paul Brooks, accountant at Hill Wooldridge, warns that "medium to long-term use of a subcontractor will often be viewed by HM Revenue and Customs

as creating an employer/employee relationship, regardless of the agreement between the parties. In this case, the business will be advised to consider making the subcontractor an employee."

"If work levels • are predictable and sustainable for the long term, then an apprentice is an excellent idea as you can mould them and help them grow," says Emptage. But he cautions that an apprentice shouldn't be taken on lightly. "Youneed to make enough time for them and fulfil your end of the bargain, giving them the training they need to become a fully capable electrician." And the onboarding process is different for each.

Onboardingasubbie

First, you need their Unique Taxpayer Reference and National Insurance numbers, so that you can register them as a new subcontractorwithHMRC. "Beforethey start work, I give them a folder containing my health and safety policy and risk assessments, and they sign to show they have read and understood all these documents," says Greg Cheesbrough, founder ofEnhance Power in Southampton.

"While subbies have their own insurance, I have my own public liability insurance too, so we have double protection," he adds. "And if the subcontractor is working on site, I may need to see their CSCS card. I also ask them to sign a separate document to say they're qualified to do isolations and understand the correct procedure."

Skilled subcontractors are worth their weight in gold, but don't be fooled by qualifications on paper. "I always make sure I'm confident they can do the job before they start work," says Cheesbrough. "Always go on word-ofmouth recommendations," adds Emptage. "They need to have a good track record of reliability and must be trustworthy."

Cheesbrough always pays subbies weekly. "If they're good and you pay them quickly, they are more likely to come back and work for you again," he says.

Some people like to work with subcontractors on a casual basis while others prefer to have written agreements in place.

"Generally, we would already be very familiar with the subcontractor and would trust them to deliver without a probation period as such," says Emptage. "Most of the time no set contract was in place. Instead, they worked on a monthby-month basis, dependent on workflow. This seems to suit most subcontractors as it gives them good flexibility."

At Enhance, there is a rigorous process in place. "We always do a trial, which may last a couple of days," says Cheesbrough. "This is so we know that we can work together."

Dntmardinganemployee

With a new employee, a business must take into account all the costs of employment: gross annual pay; employer's National Insurance costs; employer's pension contributions; 28 days paid holiday per year. Plus there's the possibility of paternity and maternity pay, sick pay and redundancy.

"As a very general rule, we advise adding 25% onto an employee's gross pay to give an approximation of the actual total employment costs, taking

TIMETDJOINTHEECA?

into account taxes, pensions and nonproductive holidays," says Brooks.

Dnboardinganapprentice

If you're keen to take on an apprentice, they must be employed -they can't be hired as a subcontractor, Brooks explains. So the cost of employment is the same as those highlighted above.

"Be aware that you have to pay them for the days they spend at college too," says Cheesbrough. The amount that you pay an apprentice is set by the Joint Industry Board. "You can pay more than the guidelines and, if you do, you're more likely to keep them after they finish their training," he adds.

Beingagoodboss

Hiring someone is just half the battlethen you have to manage them. "You need to make time for them to understand what causes them to have good days and bad days, and how best to motivate them," says Emptage.

Figgett recommends a flat management structure. "If there's an emergency, our lads might have to pull a really long shift. You can't do that with someone who is clockwatching. This is why we're a team rather than a hierarchy. Everyone helps out, and we give people as much flexibility as we can in return."

Cheesbrough still spends two or three days a week working on site alongside his team. This makes it much easier to keep on top of jobs and have a sense of how people work. "If you're sitting in an office, you won't know if someone's late or if a job is falling behind," he points out. His tip for being a good boss? "To get the

Ifyourbusinessisgrowing,itcouldbetimetoconsider joiningtheElectricalContractors'Association,whose supporttomembersincludesguidesandtemplateson employeerelations,healthandsafety,legalandbusiness, andapprenticeshipprogrammes.Inthemeantime,check outsomeofthethingsyoucanalreadyaccess:

• Thinkaboutall-roundwellnessofyourworkers,not justtheirphysicalhealth.CheckouttheECA'swebsite atwww.eca.co.ukformentalhealthinformation,advice andtraining.

THESUBBIECHECKLIST

Tickalltheboxesbelow:

• Dotheyhavetheirownpublic liabilityinsurance?

• Istheirlimitofindemnitythe sameasyoursanddoesitcover theworkyouarecontracting themtodo?

• DoyouhavetheirUnique TaxpayerReferencenumber, NationalInsurancenumberand otherrelevantdetails?

• HaveyounotifiedHMRCthatyou aretakingonasubcontractor?

• Havetheyreadandsigned awrittensubcontractor agreementclearlystatingthe termsofwork(includingdetails ofpayment,workdeadlinesand whoispayingformaterials)?

• DotheyhavetherightPPEand uniform(ifrequired)?

• Haveyoubriefedthemonyour firm'shealth6safetypolicy?

• Aretheysetuponallthe relevantsoftware[suchas accessingriskassessments andlivejobs)?

• Haveyoucheckedoutalltheir qualifications,trainingand certificates?

• DotheyhaveaCSCScardif workingonnew-buildprojects?

best out of someone, you need to listen to them, let them come up with ideas, and give them autonomy. In this industry, if you're good, you'll always get work. If you start bossing people about, the good tradespeople will leave."

• Stayontopofyourhealthandsafetyresponsibilities. Asasmallbusinessowner,youhavealotonyourplate. Butit'svitalthatyoustayuptodateontherulesregarding howyoukeepyoursubbiessafeatwork.ECA'shandy guideisatwww.bit.ly/ECA-health-and-safety

• Ifanissueariseswithanemployee,takeaction.It doesn'thavetobemorethananinformalchat,butnipping problemsinthebudiskeytoavoidingbusinessdisruption. AroundathirdofallcallstotheECAemployeerelations helplineaskforadviceondealingwithdisciplinary matters.Formoreinfo,visitwww.bit.ly/ECA-discipline

IT'SALLINTHE PAPEAWDAK

Theassessmentprocessisakeypartofyourcertificationwith NICEIC.Inthissecondarticleinourseriesongettingthemost outofyourassessment,wespotlighttheofficeaudit

In the last issue, we looked at the importance of contacting us to book your assessment. Here, we lift the lid on what's required on the day and why. To carry out your office audit, your assessor will ask to see several things.

l Records

• of all electrotechnical work carried out, together with the specifications, drawings, certificates, reports and other relevant documents relating to that work for a minimum period of six years, or as otherwise contractually required;

• demonstrating the accuracy and consistency oftest instruments;

• demonstrating that all employed persons are competent and/or adequately supervised to do electrotechnical work;

• of all complaints received over the previous six years about the technical standard, safety and functionality of electrotechnical work, plus details of actions taken to resolve the complaints;

• of qualifications, training (including CPD) and experience for individuals doing electrotechnical work; and

• of technical qualifications of the nominated qualified supervisor(s).

8Thecurrentversion[including all amendments)oftechnicalreference documents,including:

• BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations;

• the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 -Guidance on Regulations HSR25;

• all building regulations, approved

documents and/or technical standards relevant to the work undertaken;

• electrical test equipment for use on low voltage electrical systems HSE Guidance Note GS38 (as amended).

3Testinstrumentsandleadswith up-todate service records and accuracy logs.

4Proofofadequateinsurance for works carried out by your business, including:

• public liability insurance of at least £2m;and

• professional indemnity insurance of at least £250k if certified for periodic inspections.

FocusonsupervisionrecordsandCPD NICEIC operates under the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification, an industryagreed document that sets the standard for assessing competence. In 2020, the standard was updated to include a more formal requirement for record-keeping and ongoing professional development.

Part of the constant push to ensure the electrotechnical industry is fit for purpose and able to respond to changing demands, the move stressed the fact that our sector provides more than just ajob. It's a profession and, as is the case in all professions, continued learning is vital.

No doubt you and your team are already doing regular CPD. The only difference

AREVOURSUPERVISIONRECORDSUPTOSCRATCH?

now is that you need to record it. If you don't have a system to do this, check out our CPD record form at niceic.com/for-the-trades/ develop-your-skills/recording-cpd.

Dame Hackitt's review of the Grenfell tragedy identified the need to improve accountability and transparency in the building services industry. Effective, complete and thorough record keeping forms the foundations of this principle and provides you with clear oversight of your operation, enabling you to ensure your business remains compliant.

Failingtoprepareispreparingtofail

In the past year, some assessments have resulted in a follow-up visit or a request for extra evidence. The top reasons are:

• Lack of record keeping relating to training and ongoing CPD of all persons engaged in electrical work;

• Lack of adequate professional indemnity insurance cover for businesses carrying out periodic inspection and testing; and

• Lack of ability to demonstrate effective systems to maintain test instrument accuracy. While these don't necessarily result in a revisit, NICEIC will require follow-up evidence to confirm issues have been rectified.

So be prepared. Making a time investment upfront will save you hours and possibly money in the future.

PREPARINGFORVOUR NICEICASSESSMENT

Checkoutourtoptipsonhowto prepareforyourassessment at my.niceic.com.Onceloggedin, navigatetodownloads.Here, you'llfindourElectrical SurveillanceGuide,whichhas ahandyoverviewofwhatto expectduringyourassessment.

Checkoutourdownloadablesupervisiontemplateatniceic.com/for-the-trades/developyour-skllls/publlcatlons-downloadsandmakesureyou'recapturingalltheInformation neededtokeepyourbusinesscompliant.Don'tforget:ourassessmentsareanintegral partofyourNICEICcertificationandarequirementofyourongoingcertificationwithus.

FIRERATED GALVANISEDSTEELBOXES

FEATURINGINTUMESCENT PADS

THE

ThenewbatterystorageQualificationishere

Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS) are the latest step on the road to net zero, as consumers choose not only to generate their own electricity, but to store it too. Recognising this growing market, NICEIC has added EESS to its existing MCS scheme technologies. This ensures that installations are carried out correctly and to a high standard.

In times of uncertainty and fluctuating energy prices, customers are increasingly interested in energy security. However, these clients can't access government incentives unless they're using an MCS certified contractor. Some energy providers also want evidence that installations meet MCS standards before they grant consumers access

portfolio manager -ESE, says: "EAL's new regulated qualification and MCSrecognised L3 Award was developed with contractors, battery manufacturers, NICEIC and the ECA. It follows the IET's code of practice and industry documents, ensuring contractors learn the theory and skills associated with this technology, which will help them to meet industry requirements and expand their business opportunities in prosumers' electrical installations."

WHAT'SINITFORTHECUSTOMER?

Batteriescan:

• helpclientsusemoreofthe electricitygeneratedbytheir photovoltaicsystem;

• storeexcesselectricityfor whentheyneedit;

• reducetheirelectricitybills;

• cuttheircarbonfootprint;

NICEIChasyoucovered

NICEIC's head of training Nik Mitchell adds: "We've taken great care to ensure that this qualification covers everything a contractor to certain tariffs. So adding MCS certification is vital SPOTLIGHT: needs to know. It addresses to operate in this space. EESSCERTIFICATIONdesign, specification, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning and, of course, handover. Thanks to this detailed collaborative approach,

NICEIC has partnered with the respected awarding organisation

• reducetheirrelianceonthe NationalGrid;and

TobeMCScertifiedforEESS work,youneedanMCSrecognisedqualification deliver a new qualification. It not only provides the

EAL to develop and

Interestedinmoreinfo?

-justlikewithsolarPV.The registrationguideonNICEIC's websitehasthefulllistof thesequalifications. we're confident that the product will soon become the gold standard for those looking to upskill." in-depth knowledge needed to design and install the technology correctly, it also meets the MCS criteria for those businesses wanting MCS certification.

Kevin Sparrow,

EAL's industry

THESCHEMEDETAILS

Learners undergo two days of face-to-face classroom-based training at an NICEICapproved training centre. They then do a practical-based assessment. Information on locations and availability can be found at www.shop.niceic.com/eessqualification

TheMicrogenerationCertificationScheme[MCSJcertificatesmicrogeneration technologiesusedtoproduceelectricityorheatfromrenewablesources.

NICEIC'scurrentMCSofferprovidescertificationschemesforthefollowing technologies:

• Solarthermalhotwater[MIS3001)•Heatpumps[airandgroundsource)[MIS3005) eSolarphotovoltaic[MIS3001!)eEESS[MIS3011!)

• helpthemearnmoneyby sellingexcessenergyback tothegridusingtheSmart ExportGuarantee.

Source:mcscertified.com

BATTERVSTORAGEISONTHEUP

InDl2023,therewere60,004 small-scalerenewableinstallations ofsolarphotovoltaictechnologies, heatpumpsandbatterystoragethat'sthemostsincen42015.

Batterystoragehaditsbest quarterforinstallationsinthe schemetodate,with351systems installedintotal-that'smore than50%oftheschemetotal (621installations)sofar.

Source:mcscertified.com

BEHINDTHESCENES ATTHETECHNICALHELPLINE

Whodothosereassuringvoicesonthephonebelongto?Here, sevenhelplineteammembersliftthelidonlifeasanexpert

WordsbyClareDowdy

SamDonaghy,head oftechnicaladvice andpractice JOINEDIN2016

Donaghy has worked for companies such as Siemens and Rockwell Automation, and as an independent contractor. Before joining NICEIC, he taught HNC and HND Electrical Engineering to advanced apprentices and working electricians.

H I love the job - every day really is a school day. For technical engineering geeks like us, if there's something we don't know, we want to know about it. That's what this job is all about. It's an extremely wide and everchanging industry, with new regs, new legislation and new products and technologies. It's hard work to keep up with everything, but that makes it rewarding.

Sole traders who don't have a second head to bounce ideas off can sometimes doubt themselves on a job. So they ring us for confirmation.

Across the team we have more than 350 years of experience in the electrical industry. In the last 12 months, we've responded to 56,423 calls on the Technical Helpline and 4,542 Technical Helpline emails. H

LeeDaglish JOINEDIN2022

Daglish used to run his own electrical contracting business.

H This job has given me back the life I once enjoyed before working for myself. At the end of the day, I can switch off from work and enjoy my spare time. Before, I was constantly under pressure and feeling stressed, doing 60- to

70-hour weeks. Now, I don't worry about Monday morning or the next job and it's nice knowing I have a steady, reliable income. The job itself is rewarding, especially when you get an appreciative response many times a day from satisfied callers. H

SteveClifton JOINEDIN2021

Following teacher training, Clifton spent 15 years working in private training and FE colleges as a lecturer, assessor and internal quality assurer before moving into management.

H Having previously worked with students, apprentices and other new entrants into the industry, this role has given me the opportunity to take my technical knowledge to the next level byworkingwith experienced

2) IsittruethatEVchargerswithabuilt-in30mARCDandwithoutamanualtestbuttondon'tcomplywithBS7671?

ANSWERSBELOW

customers. One of my big concerns was that the job would be like working in a call centre. Not at all. And unlike contracting work, I can switch my computer off at 5pm. H

BobbyMullarkey JOINEDIN2021

Mullarkey was previously part of British Gas's technical support team. H This felt like the beginning of a new chapter where I felt like the student again, surrounded by masters. Here, there's no such thing as a silly question, only the pursuit of knowledge.

I enjoy passing on my knowledge ofBS 7671 and demystifying the intent of the regulations with contractors on a day-to-day basis. BS 7671 can be ambiguous and isn't always the easiest book to interpret. H

CraigCunningham JOINEDIN2017

Cunningham has worked in various roles from lead electrician to QS, selfemployed contractor to contracts manager. H Everyone on the team wants to help, learn more and improve each other. The amount of knowledge I've gained is extraordinary. H

CraigKemp JOINEDIN2017

From electrical shopfitting and domestic installations to commercial and industry

installation projects, Kemp has done a variety of jobs. He spent the late 1990s working in the cable TV and fibre optic industry, before moving into further education teaching.

H I get a lot out of speaking with excellent contractors on a vast range of technical issues throughout the day.

And I've had the opportunity to develop in areas that require additional research, such as my latest role in validating assessment reports for contractors registered on the NICEIC Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems scheme. H

JonathanDare JOINEDIN2020

Dare spent more than 16 years in the group estates and facilities department of the UK's largest tyre retail and wholesale distribution company. There, he oversaw, designed and specified technical aspects of major refits and original fit-out projects, which involved extensive travel around the UK.

H When I started on the technical helpline, I was concerned I might get bored working in an office in the same location every day. Not a bit of it - I really enjoy learning, researching information with the rest of the team and providing technical guidance to our contractors in various ways, especially over thephone.H

WEANSWERED

HOWITWORKS

Everyoneworksfromhome.Of

BUSTINGSOMEMVTHS

lWe're not here to judge. Some contractors are initially nervous about calling, thinking that they'll be marked down for having to ask a question.

2None of us knows everything. "IfI don't know the answer, I can fling it out to my team and one or more of them will know," says Sam Donaghy, head of technical advice and practice. "Our collaborative approach is our strength."

3The answers don't somehow come up on screen automatically. We either know it or have to research it.

4 This isn't a call centre. We can take toilet breaks whenever we like, we have no quotas to hit and we're not reading off a flow chart. Likewise, nobody is on the phone Monday to Friday-there are other tasks to do such as supporting external events, shadowing area engineers doing assessments, validating assessment reports and replying to questions that are emailed to us.

Answer lJ

Ves.Regulation120.3of BS7671statesthat"Anyintended departurefromthesePartsrequiresspecialconsideration

Answer i!J

theresultingdegreeofsafetyoftheinstallationshallnotbe lessthanthatobtainedbycompliancewiththeregulations. bythedesigneroftheinstallationandshallberecordedan theappropriateelectricalcertificationspecifiedinPart6.The resultingdegreeofsafetyoftheinstallationshallbenotless thanthatobtainedbycompliancewiththeRegulations". Sa thedesignercan,withspecialconsideration,haveanintended departurefromBS7671.Everythingstartswiththedesign,and soanyintendeddeparturewillstartwithadesign.Thedeparture mustberecordedantheappropriateelectricalcertificationand

Inshort,yes.Regulation722.531.3.1 of BS7671states that,whererequiredfarelectricvehiclechargingpaints, "RCDsshallcomplywithoneofthefallowingstandards: BSEN61008-1,BSEN61009-1,BSEN60947-8orBSEN68483'. SaiftheRCDuseddoesn'tcomplywithanyofthe standardslistedhere,farexampleifitdoesn'thaveamanual testbutton,theinstallationwouldn'tcomplywith BS7671.

Ifyou'reproudof yourvan'sracking, sendsomepies toconnections@ thinkpublishing.co.uk

WOODVDU BELIEVEIT?

Howacustom-builtinteriorhelpedthis contractorwork,eventhroughillness

For 46 years, this contractor has done his own van fit-outs. He bought this Ford Transit (with a long wheelbase and high roof) new in 2016, and has adapted it to cater for his needs. That includes building in a small loo, after he was treated for prostate cancer.

Like his previous vans, this one's racking is timber-framed, which is much cheaper, he says, than metal. He built it from scratch using plywood and softwood timber.

It's laid out like a wholesaler's so that he can carry plenty of stock. "We work all over the place, and it costs you time if you get to a job and something's missing." Items for domestic jobs are stored on one side and commercial on the other. Tools that are used often sit on the bottom row,

while those that are needed less frequently are in cases on a shallow shelf above the red boxes. Cable rolls are attached to the back door, while paperwork is suspended in a frame near the main door.

Behind a timber door (which he also made), there's a small plastic-lined room, with an integral shelf for hand cleanser. Space here is tight, as he didn't want to sacrifice too much workspace. Rather than having the chemical toilet sit low on the floor, he raised it by putting it on drawer runners. That means it's the right height for him to use, and it can be pulled out easily to be cleaned.

He bought steps for the rear and side doors, which helped him get into the van when a second illness meant his mobility was poor. A truly customised solution.

NICEICINSURANCECOVERFORVOURBUSINESSFLEET

WithaccesstoawiderangeofleadingprovidersincludingAllianz,Aviva,AXA, Highway[partofLiverpoolVictoria)andZurich,contractorscanchoosefrom arangeofmultiorsinglevehicleinsurancepoliciesandselectthecoverthat bestmeetstheirneeds.

Byworkingwithspecialistinsurers,NICEICInsurancecanarrangeinsurance thatincludescomprehensivecoverandnoclaimsdiscountprotection.

Aswellascorevehiclecover-fromcomprehensivetothird-partyonlythepoliciescanfeatureadditionalbenefits,includingcoverfor:navigation systems,Europeantravel,trailers,andnewvehiclereplacementforthose writtenoffwithinoneyearofpurchase.

Covermaydifferdependingontheinsurer.Aswithmostinsurance,terms, conditionsandexclusionsapply.Forfulldetails,call03330156629orvisit NICEICInsuranceIInsuranceforTradespeopleatniceicinsurance.com

NICEICCOMESTDVDU

Ourtrainingcomesinallshapesandsizes,andthatincludes deliveringcoursesinpersonatyourpremises

engineers working across Suffolk. What's more, the session was exclusive to Dalkia staff, allowing them to get even more out ofit. The operatives can now "provide maintenance cover for the increasing number ofSCC buildings with PV systems installed", Newell says.

CitybuildRepairs6Maintenance NewcastleuponTyne

Citybuild carries out the construction, maintenance and repairs of commercial and domestic properties for property management company Your Homes Newcastle, and Newcastle City Council.

Martin Edwards is the senior repairs and construction manager of the electrical department. He wanted to improve his operatives' skills for the increasing number of addressable wiring systems they were installing. "We wanted everyone to have the correct qualifications and to understand all the latest regs," he says.

The benefits of good training are undisputed. "It keeps our certified businesses up to date with regulations so they're ahead of the game when it comes to new technologies," says NICEIC head of training Nik Mitchell. "That makes for successful businesses."

NICEIC has an industry-leading training portfolio of more than 60 courses, which can be taught face-toface at a training centre or online, or a combination of the two options.

In addition, NICEIC's expert tutors can run courses at businesses' premises. This works particularly well when a company has bespoke requirements or when there is a need to train groups of operatives from the same business. Here,

two firms describe why in-company training worked well for them.

Dalkia

Suffolk County Council (SCC) appointed this leading technical and energy solutions provider to maintain more than 1,000 of its buildings. ''As part of its zero-carbon ambitions, the council is installing more solar PV across the county," explains Dalkia's project manager, Jason Newell. "So we needed our engineers to be up to speed with the latest maintenance training."

Newell was aware ofNICEIC's technical excellence and opted for the two-day PV maintenance training course to be held at Dalkia's Ipswich office. This made it really convenient for its many

Edwards came to NICEIC for the Fire Alarm Unit 1 and Unit 3 training because "we believe [NICEIC is] the most trusted provider in this area. And it fitted in with our business and timescale that their trainer could conduct the course online at a time that worked for us."

The operatives united in Citybuild's classroom, so they all experienced the course together, live and online.

The fire alarm training has given his electrical operatives "a much better knowledge of what they have to install. They're better at reading drawings and knowing what to question," says Edwards.

To learn more about NICEIC's bespoke training, email traininginfo@ niceic.com or call 0333 015 6627.

IT'SNOTALLTECHNICALconfidentoftheircapabilitiesasatrainingprovider,"saysthe

NICEICalsohelpswithbusinessneeds,asisthecasewith Enerveo,amulti-disciplinarycontractingbusiness.The companywantedtoincreasethealreadyhighqualityof itscustomerjourney,particularlytheircustomers' experienceusingthehelplineandfieldoperations.

"Thetechnicalknow-howwassound;allourpeopleknow theirstuff,"saysEnerveo'sChichesterbranchmanager. "However,servicelevelsvariedwhenitcametohaving theconfidencetodeliverandtranslatecomplextechnical informationconsistently."

Enerveolookedatseveralprovidersofcustomerservicerelatedcoursesbutquicklyrealisedgenerictrainingwasn't whattheyneeded.SotheyturnedtoNICEIC."Havingattended manyoftheirtrainingcoursesontechnicaltopics,wewere

Chichesterbranchmanager.

AfterinitialdiscussionstounderstandEnerveo'sneeds, NICEIC'strainingteamdevelopedabespokecourse."Theteam atNICEICunderstoodthecomplexityoftheissuenotthrough theorybutthroughexperience-they'velivedandbreathed thisstuffdaily,"saysEnerveo."Theprocessofdesigningthe coursewasextremelystraightforward.Wesimplyoutlinedour challengesandNICEICdidtherest."

Andthebespoketrainingdidthejob."Theinsightand techniquessharedwerebroughttolifebyreal-lifeexamples thatcouldonlybegivenbysomeoneinanassociatedindustry," saysoneparticipant.

Theoperatives"tookawaysomegoodbusinessactions andlearningsfromthesession",andtheplanisforEnerveo toimpartthisnewknowledgetoothersinthebusiness.

EVEAVTHINGVOU'VEALWAVS WANTEDTDKNOWABOUTTHE BUILDINGSRFETV AEGULRTDAINENGLAND

DavidAdamsexplainswhatitisandwhatitmeansforyou

Whatisit?

Every certified business working in England needs to know about the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR): what it is, what it does and how its work will affect you. That's the case even if you don't work on the high-rise buildings that will be its primary focus -and even if you don't work in England, where the BSR will operate. The new regulator will determine the future development of safety standards and regulations for electricians working in buildings of all kinds in England. Its actions may also influence future regulatory changes elsewhere in the UK.

Whydowehavea newregulator?

The launch of the new regulator in April 2023 is one of several major regulatory changes made during recent years. The Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 led to the commissioning of Dame Judith Hackitt's Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety -and its May 2018 final report recommended the creation of a new regulatory framework. In response, the government has drafted the Building Safety Bill, passed by Parliament in 2021 and effective since April 2023; has .8 "' introduced a new Fire Safety Bill and - new fire safety regulations (in January .E rn 2023); and created the BSR.

Whatisitsrole?

The new regulator takes responsibility for building safety from the Health & Safety Executive and the government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. From October 2023, the BSR will be the building control authority for occupied highrise buildings in England, defined as buildings of seven or more storeys, or at least 18m in height, that contain at least two residential units. Hospitals or care homes that meet the height criteria also come into scope during design, construction or refurbishment.

KEVCHANGES

Whatthenewregulatorwilldo

The BSR will have three main functions. First, it will oversee safety and standards of all buildings in England. Second, it will assure the safety of higher-risk buildings, in part by promoting competence among built environment industry professionals. It now has oversight of the Competent Person Schemes, which cover anyone working as a contractor within these buildings, and it will also enforce building regulations.

A spokesperson for the BSR notes that the 2015 Construction (Design and

• The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will oversee safety and standards in all buildings in England; will assure safety in higherrisk buildings, in part by promoting competence among built environment industry professionals; and will implement a new regulatory framework for high-rise buildings. These are buildings at least seven storeys or 18m high, containing at least two residential units. Hospitals and care homes are also within scope during design, construction and refurbishment.

• Each building must have its own updateable 'golden thread' of safety information, stored in a digital format. This should include information about Building Regulations' compliance and safety risks. Electrical contractors will be responsible for recording some of this information .

• The BSR will refine and oversee Competent Person requirements applicable to any contractor working on any type ofbuilding .

Management) regulations (CDM 2015) impose duties on defined duty holders such as principal contractors, including "appointing the right people for the work" and "having suitable arrangements to ensure the project is carried out in a way that secures health and safety".

"These duties apply to any design or building work carried out on all buildings in England," the spokesperson adds. "Primary responsibility lies with the person carrying out the building work -that means the contractor or the installer."

And third, the BSR will lead implementation of the new regulatory framework for high-rise buildings, defining accountability and statutory responsibilities that will apply throughout the whole lifecycle of these buildings.

As NICEIC technical director, Paul Collins explains, "the BSR will be responsible for ensuring that any building safety risks in new and existing buildings within the scope of the regulator are effectively managed and issues resolved, as well as holding people to account [if they] break the rules."

Whowillsupportit?

The new regulator will be supported by three new committees:

• A residents' panel, representing people who own and/or live in these buildings;

• An industry competence committee, to advise on policy and technical matters related to competence; and

• A building advisory committee, advising the BSR on the built environment industries.

Moredocumentation?

Those responsible for the safety of the building must also create a 'golden thread' of information about each building, stored in an accessible digital format, including details of Building Regulations' compliance and the identification and mitigation of safety risks.

"It's vital that the information and documentation [contractors] issue to their clients is accurate and completed correctly, and so forms part of the golden thread for that building," says Collins. NICEIC certified businesses will work with primary contractors and/or building owners to ensure this information is recorded accurately before it is

"Primaryresponsibility ... lieswiththe personcarryingoutthebuildingworkthatmeansthecontractorortheinstaller"

passed on to the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) for the building, who will be responsible for managing the building's safety.

Arefuture developmentslikely?

Although the new regime creates new obligations for contractors, it should be good news for all the

WHATTHECHANGES MEANFDANICEIC CERTIFIEDBUSINESSES

For NICEIC certified businesses working in England, here's what the regulatory regime means.

• Any contractor working in a high-rise building in scope for the new regulations must ensure compliance with the new regulatory regime.

• This includes helping to maintain the •golden thread' of information relating to safety risks for these buildings: coordinating recording and updating of this information with a primary contractor and/ or building owner.

built environment industries, because it will raise standards, helping to make buildings safer for the contractors who work in them, as well as the people who live in or use them.

For now, Collins stresses the importance ofNICEIC certified businesses paying attention to the ongoing implementation of the BSR and of the new regulatory regime it will oversee. This is still important even if you don't work on buildings that are in scope, he stresses, because the BSR will set the technical competence requirements, regardless of the building type. "Keep an eye on Connections and our webinars like The Wire,

Paul Collins

e Every NICEIC certified business working on buildings in England should monitor news about the BSR and the new regulatory regime, as the BSR is now also responsible for defining Competent Person Schemes for contractors working on any building in England.

where we relay information about updates and building regulations, as well as industry information around changes to technical competence requirements and the like," he says.

"Anything that comes along that will change anything for NICEIC certified businesses -as soon as we know we will pass that on."

HOWNICEICISSUPPORTINGTHEBSRANDTHEINDUSTRV

NICEIC is supporting the new regulatory regime in several ways, including through membership of the Competent Person Forum, a sub-committee of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, which advises the government on the built environment industries.

The Competent Person Forum will now work alongside the BSR. "We will continue to work with industry stakeholders to develop competence and compliance standards," says NICEIC technical

director Paul Collins. "We meet with government on a regular basis along with other Competent Person Scheme operators.

"[Part of that work] has been working through the Mandatory Technical Competence [MTC] updates that have been feeding back into the Competent Person Schemes," he adds.

NICEIC expects the new MTCs to be finalised later in 2023. It will keep members fully informed about any new developments linked to the BSR and its work.

"Thenewregime... willmakebuildings saferforthepeople whousethem"

Everyone from contractors working at height to lift engineers will come within the BSR's remit

Amendment2Devices & DistributionBoards

AdditionalProtectionbyTypeA30mARCBO Socketoutlets(upto32A)inallbuildingsmust haveadditionalprotectionfroma30mAdevice wheresocketsareusedbyordinarypersons, disabledpersonsorchildren.

* SeeBS7671forfulldetails

AdditionalProtectionbyAFDDRCBODevices ArcFaultDetectionDevicesmustbeused forsingle-phaseACfinalcircuitssupplying socket-outlets(upto32A)in:

•CareHomes

•HigherRiskResidentialBuildings

•HousesinMultipleOccupation

•PurposeBuiltStudentAccommodation

*See8S7671forfulldetails

OvervoltageProtectionbySPD

Transientovervoltageprotectionmustbe usedwheretheconsequencesofovervoltage cancause:

•Seriousinjuryto,orlossof,humanlife

•Significantfinancialordataloss

•Andinallotherinstallationsunlessthe ownerdeclaresitsnotrequired&accepts allrisks&consequences

*See8S7671forfulldetails

Standarddistributionboards,fully compatiblewithAmendment2devices including SPD,AFDDs, RCBOsand MCBs.

Nospecialsrequired,just off theshelf standardWylexproducts.

Findoutmore: www.electrium.eo.uk/wylex

Thelatesthowlers spottedby vigilantreaders

Rob Jackson ofKent Electrical, Hertfordshire, found these exposed contacts in a basement. There was an extension connector linking a rubber flex to a basement light and an exposed end. "The flex was also perishing and there was ajointwith just twisted ends above it and tape covering them, and no earth," he says. He isolated and disconnected the circuit.

Russell

large fridge freezer. "We discovered that the socket had been connected using lighting flex, and plugged into a socket in the living room on the other side of the wall." The live wire in the plug had completely burnt out. They fixed this by chasing the wall out in the living room and running a 2.5mm twin and earth cable from the living room socket through the wall into the kitchen.

ofRJM Electrical in Broadstairs, Kent, found this at a takeaway restaurant in Canterbury. A garage consumer unit had been used as a junction box. "The entire metal case was livesomeone could have died!" he says. "The earth terminal had been used to connect all the live conductors." He immediately isolated the circuit and made it safe. He then corrected the problem with an appropriate plastic receptacle, connectors and a cover plate.

Richard Rimmer ofNew Dawn Electrical in Lymington, Hampshire, was called out to a house which had no power to a kitchen socket feeding a

Infutureissues,wewanttofeature yourgreatrepairworkalongside thebotchedjobs.Pleasesend beforeandafterphotosto

John Morrell

Our ChallengeforaCauseareagreatwaytogetinvolved. Notonlywillyoubesupportingthepeopleinourindustry, you'llalsohavethebesttimedoingit.

OurchallengesaretoughandfullofadventureBUT you'llmakesomelifelongfriendsandthesenseof achievementismassive.

Wehaveseensomanypeoplegrowinconfidenceand self-beliefonthesechallengesandaresoproudofeachand everyoneofourparticipants.

You'llbefullysupportedthroughout,fromhelpwithfundraisingmaterial,promotion, trainingplansandevents,rightthroughtomotivatingyouthroughthechallenging.

YoucandothisasanindividualorwhynotuseitasaTeamBuildingevent.

Sowhatareyouwaitingfor?Signuptodaytomakeadifferencetonotonlythe peopleinourindustry,butalsoyou.

Ifyouwanttochatthroughanyofthechallengescontact:

KateAdamczyk,DirectorofMarketing& BusinessDevelopment.

07821660893,axe,aaamczyK1a,e,cLu,La,c:aamy.o~

BRINGINGCUSTOMERSTDVDURDOOR

to make them think twice about undertaking DIY electrics and consider the smart and safe choice, which is to search for an NICEIC certified business," Faulkner explains.

The campaign also targets those actively searching for an electrical business in their area. Research shows that these are customers who typically end up on comparison sites. By focusing on popular search terms used by householders, we can ensure that our content is displayed at crucial moments, directing them once again to NICEIC's Find a Trusted Tradesperson.

Spread the word

We're launching an exciting campaign to promote NICEIC certified businesses to householders.

"We know you're looking to us to do more to help educate the public about the risks associated with DIY electrics and the importance of using an NICEIC certified business," says Amanda Faulkner, NICEIC's marketing director.

"One way of achieving this is to increase NICEIC's visibility in the online spaces householders visit when making decisions about their home electrics. This campaign, along with others in the pipeline, aims to do exactly that."

Starting on 4 September, our monthlong, UK-wide activity focuses on householders searching for an electrician in their local area and those venturing

into the risky business of searching for online electrical DIY tutorials. The campaign is being shared on Face book, YouTube, Instagram and Google.

Forget about boring ads

Simple yet impactful, our campaign centres around our how-to videos, which are intentionally designed to resemble other online tutorials. However, ours have a unique twist.

Instead of demonstrating the task at hand, when it gets to the crucial moment, the presenter states the safest way to perform the job is not to do it at all. The camera then pans to someone using NICEIC's Find a Trusted Tradesperson.

"By cleverly disrupting consumer behaviour at key moments, we aim

Of course, we'd love you to get involved. We're posting content on our social channels, so please give us a like and a share.

Further information

To learn more, view the videos and track our progress please visit our dedicated campaign page at niceic.com/dontdiy.

VouTubeisthemostpopularsource ofinformationforelectricalDIVers intheUK,withmorethanlOm peopleusingthechanneltolearn howtodoelectricaljobs,according toaaoaastudybytheNational ElectricalContractorsAssociation.

ONEDAVATATIME:NICEICCOURSESGOMODULAR

Forcertifiedbusinessesmanagingthattrickybalanceofprofessionaldevelopmentandrunningabusiness,NICEIChasasolution. Durfive-daycombinedinitialverification,periodicinspectionandtestingcourseisnowdeliveredonedayaweekoverfiveweeks. There'snolongeraneedtodowntoolsforawholeweektogetaqualification.Likewise,ourfour-daysolarPVcourseisnow deliveredonedayaweekoverfourweeks.Findoutmoreatwww.shop.niceic.com

ONTHEIRWAVTDTHEFINALS

Congratulationstotheeight highest-scoringcompetitorsfrom SkillELECTRIC8083'5qualifying heats:BenGillinofLloydMorris ElectricalandJTLTraining;Conor McDonnellofNesbittElectricaland SouthernRegionalCollege;Danny McBeanofGrantsofDufftown andSECTT;DemiMaeWhitehead ofWilliamDavisHomesandJTL Training[pictured];JasonRobinson ofNeilWhickerElectricalServices andCollegeofWestAnglia;Kevin BooneofDarke6TaylorandTraining inElectrical;ThomasMageeofSM ElectricalandBelfastMetCollege;andThomasTurnerofParkerTechnicalServices andJTLTraining.Nextstop:theSkillELECTRICUKfinalsinNovember. Seeskillelectric.org.uk/about/competition-journeyfordetails.

Inothernews,pastSkillELECTRICcompetitorDanielKnoxwasduetorepresent theUKattheEuroSkills8083competitioninGdansk,PolandinSeptember.Knoxis anapprenticeelectricianwithNICEICcertifiedbusinessGPElectrical6Security, EnniskillenandSouthWestCollegeinNorthernIreland.

(!ouc~ UPDATETD18THEDITION

FollowinglobbyingbyNICEIC'srepresentativesonthesubcommitteeandotherindustry stakeholders,theInstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology[IET)andBritishStandards Institution[BSI)havereleasedacorrectionto BS76n:201B+ll2:2022.Theamendment, whichcameintoeffectinMay,revisesfiveareasof BS76n.

Regulation422.2hasbeenamendedtoclarifythescopeoftheprovision. Indent(ii)ofRegulation443.4.1hasbeenremoved.Thetermsafetyservice,formerly includedinRegulation443.4.l[ii),encompassedawiderangeofsystems.Theprovision, therefore,hadunintendedconsequencesforimprovementstofiresafetysystems withininstallations.

Table443.2andtheNotetoRegulation534.4.1.1nolongerincludeexamples ofequipment.

Regulation701.lnolongerreferencesbirthingpools. AnewRegulation,710.422.2.201,hasbeenincludedtomodifyrequirements in Regulationgroup422.2forprotectedescaperoutesinhealthcarefacilities.

TheIETsaysthatelectriciansarelikelytobemostimpactedbytherequirementsfor overvoltageprotection,specificallySPDs.Thechangestoprotectedescaperoutesare alsolikelytoaffectalotofprojects.

~OLIC~ CHANGESTOPART L

Thefinalgraceperiodfor compliancewiththeupdatedPart L(conservationoffuelandpower) oftheBuildingRegulations in Englandendedon15June2023. Theupdatenowrequireshomes toachievea31%reductionin overallcarbonemissions.

ESFSAFETV CONFERENCE

TheElectricalProductSafety Conference,nowinits15thyear, takesplaceinWestminsteron 16November.Expertspeakers willhighlightthelatesttrends, innovationsandcriticalissuesin electricalproductsafety. Bookoneventbrite.co.uksimplysearchforElectrical ProductSafetyConference.

OUTAND ABOUT

The latest recruit to NICEIC's events team, Motor Ohm, has visited 11locations across the country, including Oxford, Glasgow and Norwich. NICEIC's new custombuilt van was a key attraction in this summer's Ask NICEIC tour.

During these events, contractors can drop in to grill our technical experts. Simon Thomson of Arcus Facilities Management was at the Maidstone event.

"Fantastic to see the team," he says. "Some great conversations, lots of useful information and a free bacon roll chucked in -what's not to like."

We are planning more stops so please keep an eye on www.niceic. com/events for updates.

• Meanwhile, in June NICEIC took a stand -so to speak -at InstallerSHOW. Over three days, 15,000 people visited the event at NEC Birmingham -its biggest attendance ever.

Formoreonthecorrigendum,seepage42.NICEIC'sCPD-accreditedwebinarseries, TheWire,alsohasanepisodededicatedtoit.Andyoucandownloadthereportfrom electrical.theiet.org/media/3D27/bs-7671-201B-a2-2D22-corrigendum-may-2D23.pdf.

Batteriesfore-bikesanda-scootersshouldberegulatedinasimilarmannerto fireworksandheavymachinerytomakethemsafer,saysElectricalSafetyFirst [ESFJ.Accordingtothecharity,theLondonFireBrigadeiscalledtoane-bikeor e-scooterfire,onaverage,everytwodays.

ESF'snewreport,BatteryBreakdown,recommendsthatbatteriesfore-bikes anda-scootersgetthird-partyapprovalbeforegoingontheUKmarket.Thisalready happensinNewIJorkCityfollowingaspateoffatalfires.

Thereportalsohighlightsa-scooters'designflawsandsuggestssafety improvementstobetterprotectthebatteryfromdamage.Thatcouldincludebigger wheelstolessenimpactfromkerbsandpotholes,andmovingthebatteryfrom underthefootplate,whereit'sexposedtoimpactdamageandwateringress.

ESFalsorecommendsthebanningofuniversalchargerstopreventdangerously incompatiblechargingarrangementsanddamage,andthebetterregulationofnonproprietarychargingsystems.

NICEICtechnicaldirectorPaulCollinssays:"WewhollysupportESF'shighlighting of therisksoftheseproductsandtheirrecommendationstoimprovesafety."

GOODNEWS FDAEICAS

Mandatoryelectricalsafetychecks insocialhousingwillsoonbelaw inEngland.TheSocialHousing (Regulation)Billisexpected to becomelawnextyear."Wehavelong campaignedforthis,"saysNICEIC technicaldirectorPaulCollins."Itwill endthetenurelotterywithregardto electricalsafety."Moreinformation here:loom.ly/xBD30Vs

THUMBSUPFDA NICEICINSURANCE

We'regratefulforyetmorepositive feedbackonFeefo,theindependent reviewsitewherecustomersshare theirexperiencesofbusinesses.

Recently,BriangaveNICEIC InsuranceServicesfivestars, saying:"excellentservice,bespoke insuranceatverycompetitive pricesThebonuswasthe insurancecostwasmuchlower thanotherinsurancequotations.I'm alreadyrecommendingNICEICtoall oursub-contractorsandourmany businessassociates."

Forcertifiedbusinessesaftera freeinsurancehealthcheck,contact NICEICInsuranceServices.

Forcampaigndetails,visitwww.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/battery-breakdown

~ouc!]

NORTHERNIRELAND'ATRISK'

Northern Ireland has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe. More than 60% of homes are older properties, often with outdated electrical installations. And that poses safety risks, says Electrical Safety

First's new report.

The campaigning electrical charity's report, FutureHomes, also highlights the key risks that accompany the everexpanding use of electricity and emerging home technologies.

"Northern Ireland must prioritise electrifying its carbon-intensive sectors, specifically heating and transport," reads the report. "This requires a range

of new technologies, creating a web of interconnected challenges and hazards, aggravated by having some of the oldest housing stock in Europe. Yet in our increasingly electric world, electrical safety is still not given the attention it deserves."

The report highlights the importance of using a competent and skilled electrician. FutureHomes also recommends addressing the skills gap with more green apprenticeships and upskilling existing professionals.

Read the full report online at electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk -search for 'policy papers'.

EWAFDADOMESTICELECTRICIANS

The Domestic Electrician EWA is based on the same content as the Domestic Electrician apprenticeship standard, meaning new entrants and existing workers are assessed and accredited to the same industry standard. Achievement of the qualification, along with the AM2ED assessment, meets the qualification criteria for an ECS Domestic Electrician gold card application.

"We hope to see many follow this route and become formally accredited to continue the industry efforts to raise standards by upskilling the workforce," says chair of The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership Ruth Devine (pictured).

SOCKET-OUTLET REVISIONS

ChangestotheBS1363series[theUK 13nsocketoutlet]cameintoeffecton 30June2023.Itreplacesthe+R1:801B standard,whichwillbewithdrawnon 30June2026.

The2023revisionoftheBS1363 series,theUKnationalstandardsfor 13nplugs,socket-outlets,adaptors, connectionunitsandconversion plugs,includes:

Domestic electricians who need to formally recognise their skills and experience can now take a dedicated Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) route.

The Domestic Electrician EWA is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See electrical-ewa.org.uk for details.

GOVERNMENT"SIGNIFICANTLVBEHIND INITSEFFORTSTDDECAABDNISEHEAT"

TheUKiscurrentlyinstallingjustoverhalfofitsannualheatpump requirement,accordingtoaClimateChangeCommitteereport.

ReleasedinJune,thereportisaresponsetothegovernment's CarbonBudgetDeliveryPlan."Despitenewdetailfromgovernment, our confidenceintheUKmeetingitsmedium-termtargetshasdecreased in thepastyear,"saysthereport."Rkeyopportunitytoraisetheoverall paceofdeliveryhasbeenmissed."

Thereportarguesforacoherentpublicengagementstrategyon climateaction,tohelppeoplemakelow-carbonchoices;andall planningdecisionsmustbetakengivingfullregardtotheimperative ofnetzero.

!Joucanfindthereportatwww.theccc.org.uk/publication/ 2023-progress-report-to-parliament

• BS1363-1:808313Rplugs,socketoutlets,adaptorsandconnection unitsPart1:Rewirableand non-rewirable13RfusedplugsSpecification

• BS1363-8:808313Rplugs,socket outlets,adaptorsandconnection unitsPart8:13Rswitchedand unswitchedsocket-outletsSpecification

• BS1363-3:808313Rplugs, socket-outlets,adaptorsand connectionunitsPart3:RdaptorsSpecification

• BS1363-4:808313Rplugs,socketoutlets,adaptorsandconnection unitsPart4:13Rfusedconnection unitsswitchedandunswitchedSpecification

• BS1363-5:808313Rplugs, 1 socket-outlets,adaptorsand _ connectionunitsPart5:Fused t! ..a conversionplugs-Specification "'

IALAMUK'SSUCCESS

CongratulationstoNicklrlam, owneroflrlamUKofBolton-LeSands.Hewasnationalrunner upatlnstallerSH0W,having beennamedregional winnerforthe north-west.

[!ouc!]NEWREPAIRSGUIDANCEFDASCOTTISHLANDLORDS

TheScottishGovernmenthaspublishedRepairingstandard: statutoryguidanceforlandlords.Itcoversalltheelementsofthe standardagainstwhichprivatelandlordsarerequiredtocomply from1March2024.

Thedocumentaimstogiveprivatelandlordsafullpictureof whattheyshoulddotoensurethattheinstallationsforthesupply ofelectricity,electricalfixturesandfittingsandanyappliances theyprovideunderthetenancyareinproperworkingorder.

Landlordswillberequiredtoensureanelectricalsafety inspectioniscarriedoutbyacompetentpersonbeforethe tenancycommencesandthenatintervalsofnomorethanfive years.Accordingtotheguidance,anEICRmustbecompletedby asuitablycompetentperson,suchastheemployeeofanNICEIC certifiedbusiness.

Forfurtherinformationvisitwww.gov.scot/publications/ repairing-standard-statutory-guidance-landlords

NICEICCONTIIACTOIIBALVIIIBHALLA HONOUIIEDBUKINGCHAIILES Ill

Long-standingNICEICcertifiedcontractorBalvirBhallawasawarded theBritishEmpireMedalinKingCharlesIll'sfirstbirthdayhonourslist forhis40yearsofcommunityservice.BhallaofSafeSparkinllfordhas beeninvolvedwithvariouscharitiesacrossthecapital,supportingthe homeless,elderly,foodbanks,mentalhealthandotherissues.

ECAONTHEHUNTFDR LOW-CARBONCASESTUDIES

TheElectricalContractors'Associationislookingforexamples of innovationandgoodpracticeinlowcarboninstallationfromits members.Thecasestudyshoulddemonstratehowlow-carbon electrotechnicaland/orengineeringserviceswork;ordemonstrate corporatesocialresponsibilitypolicyinpractice,withmeasurable outcomes.Itcanbesubmittedviathe

WECA

~oucv]

WALES'GRACE PERIODENDS

LandlordsinWalesmusthaveEICR checksinplacetoavoidpenalties, suchastenantswithholdingrent. Thisfollowslegislation introducedinDecember2022, explainingwhatlandlordsmustdo toensurepropertiesareingood repairandfitforhumanhabitation.

Rlandlordisrequiredtohave theelectricalinstallationsofthe dwellingtestedeveryfiveyears, unlesstherequirementsoftheEICR indicateashortertestingintervalis needed.Smokealarmsandcarbon monoxidedetectorsalsoneedto beinstalledandworking.Thefinal graceperiodforcomplianceendsin December2023.

followingweblink,wherethereisa downloadabletemplate:www.eca.co.uk/ news-and-events/news/2023/may/call-forcase-studies-net-zero-carbon-work

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THEKEVDUESTIDNS

Ourtechnicalengineersareonhandtoansweryourquestions,coveringtopicsfrom earthing,bondingandhoseclampstoinstallingadistributioncircuittoanoutbuilding

Is it acceptable to install an earthing and bonding clamp conforming to BS 951 Electrical earthing -Clamps for earthing and bonding-Specification on the armour or sheath of a cable in an electrical installation to effect a connection to a protective conductor?

No. Note 1 to Clause 1 (Scope) of BS951:2009 states that such clamps are not intended for connection to the armour or sheath of a cable.

Can a hose clamp be used to connect a protective conductor to the sheath or armour of a cable in an electrical installation?

No.Note 1 to Clause 7 (Range of sizes and dimensions) of BS 5315:1991 Hose clamps (worm drive type) for general purpose use (metric series) states that the standard specifies tests that are performed on each size of clamp using a specified size and type of hose. Note 1 to the scope of the standard clarifies that only clamps designed for use on components of diameters exceeding 140 mm are used for a variety of purposes including strapping. The use of such clamps on cables is outside the scope of the standard.

With reference to the preceding questions, why can't earthing and bonding clamps or hose clips befitted to the armour or sheaths of cables in an electrical installation?

Under no circumstance should an earthing clamp, or other type of clamp not specifically designed for such use, be attached to the armour or sheath of any cable.

This practice is unacceptable because the compressive effect required to secure the clamp to the cable armour or sheath is likely to damage the insulation of the conductor in the cable. In the worst case, this practice may lead to an increased risk of fire or electric shock.

Such misuse of a clamp is a non-compliance with the following requirements within BS 7671:

e 511.1:Every item ofequipment to comply with the relevant requirements of an applicable British or Harmonized Standard appropriate to the intended use of the equipment.

e 512.1.5: Every item of equipment to be selected and erected so that it will neither cause harmful effects to other equipment nor impair the supply during normal service including switching operations.

• 526.2: The selection of a means of connection to take account of the nature of the conductors being connected together.

There is already an earthing/bonding clamp on the sheath of a service cable at the property I am about to work on. ls this acceptable?

Yes. Engineering Recommendation (EREC) G12-3 published by the Energy Networks Association permitted Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to install BS 951 clamps on the sheath of a cable. EREC G12-4 - Requirements for the Application of Protective Multiple Earthing to Low Voltage Networks, published in 2013 and updated in 2022, permits DNOs to use clamps which comply with EREC C93 - Type approval tests for mechanical connections to metallic sheaths of cables. So, both BS 951 and other types of clamps may be encountered on the sheaths of service cables. Some such clamps are designed specifically to provide a consistent and controlled pressure to the sheath of a cable.

However, on no account should an electrical contractor fit a clamp to the sheath of a service cable.

The existing clamp on the service cable is loose. What action should I take?

Before carrying out any addition or alteration to an existing installation, the adequacy of the earthing and bonding arrangements shall be confirmed (132.16). In the case of periodic inspection and testing, the adequacy of the supply arrangements, including the earthing and bonding, should be verified first to confirm that it is safe to progress with the inspection and testing.

Where doubt exists regarding the effectiveness of the earthing arrangement for the installation, a measurement of external earth fault loop impedance should be made both to the sheath of the cable and to the protective conductor from the clamp on the sheath. These two readings should be substantially the same.

If the clamp to the sheath is found to be loose, the customer should be advised to contact the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and request that the ineffective connection on their equipment is rectified.

On no account should any attempt be made to tighten the clamp.

Where the manufacturer of an electric vehicle charger has stated that their equipment has an integral Type A residual current device, does this meet the requirements of Regulation 722.581.8.101?

The electric vehicle charging point shall be protected by either: • a Type B RCD, or e a Type A RCD in conjunction with a residual direct current detection device (RDC-DD) conforming to BS IEC 62955 (722.531.3.101).

Therefore, if a Type A RCD is installed and there is no RDC-DD present, this arrangement would not be fully compliant with this requirement. Any installed RCDs shall conform to one of the standards listed in 722.531.3.101.

Is there a requirement within BS 7671for an installed consumer unit to have spare ways?

Although it may be considered to be good practice to provide spare ways to allow for additional circuits to be installed at a later date, there is no specific requirement within BS 7671 that a consumer unit has to have spare or unused ways.

We are installing a distribution circuit to an outbuilding that contains extraneous-conductive-parts at an installation forming part of a TN-S system. Do the protective bonding conductors have to be sized based on the cross-sectional area of the earthing conductor at the origin of the installation within the main building?

No. Except where PME conditions apply, if the installation serves more than one building, the protective bonding conductor for the outbuilding shall be selected in accordance with the characteristics of the distribution circuit protective conductor for that particular building. The cross-sectional area of a copper protective bonding conductor shall not be less than 6 mm 2 and need not exceed 25 mm 2 Where the bonding conductor is made of another material, its crosssectional area should provide an equivalent conductance required for a copper conductor (544.1.1).

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2023CORRIGENDUM TD BS7671:B0IB+Ra:aoaa. CHANGESTDSECTIONS 443AND534

Objective:Amendment 2 to BS7671:2018 was published on 28 March 2022 and came into force on 28 September 2022. In the period since its publication it has become apparent that there were a number of areas where newly introduced requirements, or changes to existing requirements, have had consequences not foreseen during development of the standard.

To provide clarification, and to correct these recently introduced technical errors, a corrigendum was published on 15 May 2023. In addition, a more long-standing error has also been addressed. This article explains the reasons why a corrigendum may be issued and summarises the content of the corrigendum, focusing in particular on the changes being made to provisions in BS7671 relating to fire detection and fire alarm systems and what this means for electrical contractors.

Whatisacorrigendum?

BS 7671, like all other British standards, is drafted in accordance with BS 0:2021 A standard for standards - Principles of standardization. Clause 6.2.1 lays out the principles for maintenance of a British standard. It states that, while all such standards are subject to review every five years, if evidence is provided that a standard or part thereofis unclear, inaccurate, disputable or in any other way unfit for purpose, steps will be taken to rectify the problem(s). It further advises that any such steps will be proportionate to the severity ofrisk posed, with urgent safety problems expected to receive urgent attention while trivial errors may

be left uncorrected until the need for a more substantial amendment of the standard arises.

Clause 6.2.1 also states that: Errors inadvertently introduced during the drafting or production of a standard that could lead to incorrect or unsafe application of the standard can be rectified by publication of a corrigendum.

Clause 6.2.2 of BS 0 states that where corrigenda are published, additions, changes and deletions are marked with corrigendum tags. It further clarifies that issue of corrigenda does not change the publication date of a standard, but a reference to the corrigendum is included in the standard's title.

WhatisinCorrigendum 2023toBS7671: BOIB+Ra:aoa;n

The corrigendum consists of amendments to the following five sections within BS7671:

• 422 Precautions where particular risks of fire exist

• 443 Protection against transient overvoltages of atmospheric origin or due to switching

• 534 Devices for protection against overvoltage

• 701 Locations containing a bath or shower

• 710 Medicallocations

Requirements for Electrical Installations

The introduction to the corrigendum describes how the changes made are shown; deletions are struck-through, while newly introduced text is underlined. It also gives a brief summary of why changes have been made. This article looks specifically at the changes being made within Sections 443 and 534.

Section443

During the development of Amendment No 2 to BS 7671:2018 (AMD2), a decision was made to remove the risk assessment procedure to determine whether protection against overvoltage was required. Instead, AMD2 contained separate requirements relating to overvoltages due to the effects ofindirect lightning strokes (443.4.1) and transient overvoltages caused by equipment (443.4.2). Regulation 443.4.1 stated that overvoltage protection was required where the consequences caused by the overvoltage could result in:

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

(ii) failure of a safety service, as defined inPart2

(iii) significant financial or data loss.

In the time since AMD2 was published it became apparent that the reference to 'safety service, as defined in Part 2' was problematic.

Safety service is defined in Part 2 of BS7671as:

'An electrical system for electrical equipment provided to protect or warn persons in the event of a hazard, or essential to their evacuation from a location.'

1-y =

=

Corrigendum 2023: Amends five sections of BS7671

The general consensus is that a fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with the BS 5839 series is deemed to be a safety service when referencing this definition. However, and after close examination of these standards and those for the component parts of such systems, it can be seen that supplemental protective overvoltage control is not necessary.

The problem introduced by indent ii) of Regulation 443.4.1

Focusing on the provision of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises, the installation of Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems in existing dwellings is not required unless legislation relating to their intended means of occupation requires such.

Nevertheless, as is made clear in BS 5839-6, the installation of such systems in existing dwellings is to be

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encouraged. Clauses 9.1 and 15.1 of that standard extol the benefits of providing a Grade D system in new dwellings. It is logical therefore to suggest that the installation of Grade D systems in existing dwellings is preferable to Grade F systems, which do not have a mains supply and rely solely on batteries as their source of supply.

Where a Grade D system is to be installed in an existing premises, a supply would need to be provided from either a dedicated final circuit or from an existing lighting circuit (Clause 15.4 a) of BS 5839-6). These additions to the electrical installation have to comply with the requirements of the version of BS 7671 current at the time the work is carried out (see indent c) of Clause 16.4 of BS 5839-6).

BS 7671 applies to new work and to additions or alterations to an existing installation (see Introduction to Amendment 2:2022 and Regulation 110.1.2).As a result, a supply to a Grade D system, by either means described in Clause 15.4 a) of BS 5839-6, may only be provided if all relevant requirements of BS 7671 are met.

units/distribution boards, taking into account the suitability/compatibility requirements ofregulation 536.4.203.

• Is there sufficient space to install an additional enclosure to house the required overvoltage protection alongside the existing consumer unit.

• Will it be necessary to install a new consumer unit in order to provide the overvoltage protection.

Additionally, the degree of disruption caused at the premises during the work will be increased significantly.

In short, what was previously a very straightforward installation becomes significantly more complex.

Theimplications for thesafetyofpersons

It is important that a requirement in BS 7671 should not in any way discourage someone from having a fire detection and fire alarm system installed.

against lightning (BS EN 62305 series); and electromagnetic compatibility (BS EN 50130-4; BS EN 61000-4 series), it was agreed to delete:

• indent (ii) of Regulation 443.4.1, and

• the text in Table 443.2 citing 'alarm panels, computers and home electronics' as examples of overvoltage category 1 equipment, and

• the text in the note to Regulation 534.4.1.1 giving 'fire/security alarm systems' as an example of sensitive and critical equipment.

Dofiredetectionandfire alarmsystemsrequire overvoltageprotection?

The presence of a fire detection and fire alarm system designed and installed in accordance with the recommendations given in the BS 5839 series does not, of itself, require the provision of overvoltage protection as described in Sections 443 and 534 of BS 7671.

Source:HomeOfficeguidanceonfiresafety inthehome

Because of the introduction in AMD2 ofindent ii) in Regulation 443.4.1, this required additionally the provision of protection against transient overvoltages as the majority of existing installations in domestic premises would not have such protection already.

Installation of such overvoltage protection will inevitably add to the cost of the installation of the Grade D system, both in terms of materials, time and labour costs to install. It is hard to quantify accurately to what extent the cost of installation would be increased, as this will depend on factors such as:

• Are suitable devices available for retrofitting into existing consumer

However, it is clear that the requirement to provide transient overvoltage protection before a supply can be given for a Grade D fire detection and fire alarm system has discouraged some local authorities, housing associations and property owners from installing such systems where no alarm system was present previously, or from upgrading the existing Grade F systems to Grade D. As a result, vital improvements to the safety of the occupants of the premises, and indeed of those in adjoining properties, have not been made in some cases despite such works having been planned for ahead of the publication of AMD2.

Thesolution

As a result of concerns being raised in respect of the unintended consequences of the changes in Regulation 443.4.1 as described in this article, JPEL/64, the joint IET/BSI committee responsible for the maintenance of BS 7671, set up a working group to look into the issues being raised.

After much consideration of the related standards for products used in fire detection and fire alarm systems (BS 5446 series; BS EN 54 series); protection

However premises, or parts thereof, containing a fire detection and fire alarm system may require protection against transient overvoltages due to:

• direct lightning strikes; in which case, reference should be made to the BS EN 62305 series of standards for protection against lightning, or

• transient overvoltages due to either indirect lightning strokes or caused by equipment; in which case the relevant requirements of Regulation group 443.4 must be met.

Summary

On 15 May 2023, a corrigendum to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 was published for immediate implementation. This contains corrections to matters covered in Sections 422, 443, 534, 701 and 710.

This article summarises the changes made in the corrigendum in respect of Sections 443 and 534, the reasons for these changes and what they mean when installing fire detection and fire alarm systems.

Certsure welcomes the clarification provided in respect of fire detection and fire alarm systems and the requirements for protection against transient overvoltages.

'lou'rearoundeighttimes morelikelytodieinafireifyou donothaveaworkingsmoke alarminyourhome.

DCAAAANGEMENTS ANDEARTHINGSUSTEMS

Objective:The scope of BS 7671 includes requirements for circuits supplied at nominal voltages up to 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC. The use of DC supplies and DC equipment is now becoming more commonplace within many types of installations. This article looks at some of the factors that should be considered by designers and installers when working with DC systems.

Introduction

The convenience and ease by which an alternating current (AC) can be converted to different voltage levels using transformers for efficient transmission and distribution has made the use of AC the most common form of energy supply in the UK.

However, with the introduction of new requirements for prosumer electrical installations (PEI) and the increased popularity of solar PV, electrical energy storage systems (EESS), electric vehicle charging, as well as smart integration with building services, greater awareness of the application of DC systems is becoming necessary.

This article aims to provide a brief description of the principles of direct current while considering the different types of DC arrangements detailed in Chapter 31 and Appendix 9 of BS 7671.

Directcurrent[DC]

A direct current may be considered as an electrical charge having a unidirectional flow over any given period of time, although the direction of flow of charge will not change or pass through point 0 to the opposite polarity on the x-axis, as would typically be expected from that of a sinusoidal AC waveform (see Fig 1).

A DC supply, however, can be both positive (L+ve) or negative (L-ve) in DC distribution systems.

An electrochemical source such as a battery naturally generates a ripplefree DC output. However, where a direct current is obtained through

AC rectification, in which the negative part of the sinusoidal waveform is inverted, the DC output is not necessarily represented as a smooth (ripple-free) waveform.

To be of any use in modern equipment, such as to drive current through a semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) within a lamp or luminaire, significant levels of conditioning must

Fig 1 Sinusoidal AC waveform

Fig 2 Rectified AC waveform with smoothing/ conditioning applied

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be applied to create a sufficiently smooth DC output to prevent flickering, as shown in Fig 2.

At this point, it should be recognised that the rms value of a sinusoidal current used in normal AC supplies will provide the same heating effect as the equivalent such as that in a ripple-free constant DC supply Irms = Ive

The benefits of using DC in low-voltage DC (LVDC) installations typically include:

• Reduction in power consumption.

• Removes the need for switch mode (AC-DC) power supplies for separate items of current-using equipment. Although conversion between different voltage levels will remain necessary for different items of equipment, the losses typically associated with this conversion are lower than for equivalent switch mode power supplies.

• No consideration required for power factor.

• No need to consider reactive power as there is no capacitive or inductive reactance -although there is the potential for energy storage in capacitors and inductors.

• In AC circuits reactance must also be considered to accurately determine voltage drop in larger conductors. In DC circuits only resistance need be considered and since cable resistance is usually small, there is a reduction in volt-drop.

• Fewer components required.

• Improved efficiency and easier integration with DC systems -solar PV, EESS, EV charging etc.

Disadvantages associated with the use of DC typically include:

• Controlling arcing -DC circuits can sustain a substantial arc more readily in comparison to that of an equivalent circuit supplied from an AC source. This sustained current output is due to the supply not passing through point 0. In AC circuits, a break can be made by switching action -even if minor arcing occurs this will not be sustained after the zero point has been reached.

• Increased radio frequency (RF) interference -from arcing during switching of DC.

• Lack of familiarity -incorrect selection of switching and overcurrent protective devices. Such types of equipment must be suitably rated for high levels of switching, and fault currents present within DC circuits.

• Difficulty in converting between voltage levels -power electronic converters are necessary.

• Increased risk of galvanic corrosion -to structural metalwork, earthing terminals and conductors -where positive and negative earthed arrangements are used.

Conductorarrangement andsystemeartning

Although Regulation 312.1.2 details the current-carrying conductors in DC circuits as shown in Fig 3 a-b, reference should also be made to Appendix 9 of BS7671 when determining the nature of DC earthing systems (see Fig 3).

Strictly speaking, both a PEL conductor, combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a line conductor and a PEM conductor, combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a mid-point conductor, as shown in Fig 3 a-b, are not live conductors although they carry operating current (see note to

Fig 3 Examples of2-wire and 3-wire DC circuit arrangements (isolation and overcurrent protection omitted for clarity)

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312.1.2). They are typically connected to a means of earth at the source within the DC distribution network with separate protective conductors often distributed throughout the installation (see Fig 3 c tof).

By convention, a PEL two-wire DC circuit (see Fig 3 a) has a single voltage available between, L+ and L- (U 0), and may typically employ either a negative or positive earthing arrangement (see Fig 3 c-d).

In addition, where a PEM three-wire arrangement is used (see Fig 3 b), three possible arrangements may be employed:

• a positive voltage between (L+ and M, or PEM) (Uo),

• a negative voltage between (L-and M, or PEM) (-U 0), and

• a combined higher voltage between (L+ andL-) (2Ua).

Where either a PEM two-wire (see Fig 3 e), or a PEM three-wire (see Fig 3 f) system may be employed, a means of isolation and overcurrent protection is typically required for both (L+) and (L-) polarities as a means to provide automatic disconnection of supply (ADS), and protection against fault current.

Appendix 9 of BS7671 details the earthing systems available for DC supplies.

Short-circuitand earthfaultpaths

Short-circuit and earth fault conditions are well understood in AC systems. However, the definition of a short-circuit found in Part 2 of BS7671 applies to both AC and DC circuits; that is:

'An overcurrent resulting from a fault of negligible impedance between live conductors having a difference in potential under normal operating conditions.'

Similarly, an earth fault current applies to both AC and DC circuits, and is defined as:

'A current resulting from a fault of negligible impedance between a line conductor and an exposed-conductivepart or a protective conductor'.

The following figures based on Appendix 9 highlight the potential current paths for both short-circuit and earth fault conditions in a DC circuit, including

both a PEL arrangement and a PEM arrangement.

Figure 4 shows a TN-S DC system with an earthed line conductor (L-) and separate protective conductor throughout the installation. The image highlights a short-circuit between the live conductors although one of those live conductors is also connected to earth.

Figure 5 shows a TN-S DC system with an earthed line conductor (L-) and a separate protective conductor throughout the installation. The earth fault occurs between (L+) and the protective conductor.

In a system having a mid-point (PEM) there are two possible opportunities for an earth fault.

As shown in Fig 6, the earth fault is from (L+) to the separate protective conductor, although connected to the mid-point, a positive DC voltage, to earth and subsequent flow of current is as indicated.

In Fig 7, the earth fault is from (L-) to the separate protective conductor although connected to the mid-point, a negative DC voltage to earth and subsequent flow of current is as indicated.

Fig 4 A short-circuit in a TN-S DC arrangement

Fig 5 An earth fault in a TN-S DC system with earthed line conductor (L-)

As can be seen, the nature of DC supplies and the range of possible earthing arrangements creates a more complex range of options when compared to that of AC earthing systems.

Summary

The supply of current from a DC source is becoming more commonplace. DC that has been either supplied from a battery source or suitably conditioned AC source is different from AC in that it

doesn't change its direction of fl.owwith respect to time, and as such, the effects of frequency, and therefore reactance, can be ignored.

DC can provide significant advantages when compared to AC for the supply of a range of final circuits including energy savings and improved integration with solar PV, EES systems, LED lighting and EV systems.

Fig 6 TN-S DC system having a midpoint connected to earth (PEM)

Fig 7 TN-S DC system having a midpoint connected to earth (PEM)

ACDSANDTHEEFFECTS OFHVSTEAESIS

Objective:This article considers the effects of DC components in non-linear circuits 1 and their impact when induced in the ferromagnetic core of an RCD. The effects of magnetic hysteresis for different types ofRCD will also be considered.

Introduction

The fundamental principles for the operation of an RCD have long been recognised when used for monitoring earth leakage current in a circuit.

An RCD is typically constructed from coils of wire wound around a toroidal ferrite core, one for each live conductor of the circuit protected. In a linear circuit with resistive loads the magnetic flux induced in the core by the currents flowing in both conductors is equal and in opposite directions; they subsequently cancel out and hence, no current will be induced in the trip coil.

However, where an earth fault exists, the current flow in both conductors is no longer equal in magnitude. Consequently, the magnetic flux induced in the magnetic core is no longer cancelled out.

This magnetic flux links with the search coil and induces an emfin it and, subsequently, a small current will flow into the tripping circuit operating the tripping coil and opening the contacts of the RCD, thereby isolating the faulty circuit (see Fig 1).

Hysteresisoverview

Hysteresis in a magnetic material means the lagging behind of the magnetic flux with respect to the current causing it. This will be explained further in the article.

Consider an AC supply connected to a coil wound on a magnetically soft iron core, as shown in Fig 2.

During the cycling period of the AC supply there is a constant change

Fig 1 Basic configuration and operation of an RCD

Fig 2 Coil wound around a soft iron core

in the direction of the flow of current and consequently a reversal in the polarity of the resultant magnetic flux (B) induced in the core. This allows magnetisation in one direction, then demagnetisation, and again, magnetisation in the opposite direction. Typically, the magnetic material used for the core will require time to adapt to these changes in direction of the magnetic flux such that the magnetic induction taking place within the ferromagnetic material lags behind the applied current and external magnetising force (H), as shown by the B-H curve (see Fig 3) which forms the hysteresis loop.

With reference to Fig 3,

• curve (a -b): the supply current to the coil (magnetising force) has started to fall towards zero, an alternative path is taken from that of the initial magnetising curve, point (0 - a). When the current in the coil reaches zero, there is still some magnetic flux density remaining in the core. This is called the 'remanence'. The value of residual magnetic flux remaining within the core is usually determined by the type and quality of material used 2 (see Fig 4).

• Curve (b - c): the supply current is now moving into its negative half-cycle. Notice that more current is required to force the magnetic material to the point where it is no longer magnetic. This point (c), it is termed the point of'coercivity'.

Fig 3 Hysteresis loop which shows how the magnetising and demagnetising of the core lags the supply current

Fig 4 Hysteresis loops representing both Type AC and Type A RCDs

• With the continuing flow ofreverse current, the magnetising force continues to increase in the negative direction towards point (d) and magnetic saturation again occurs. Then, as before, the flow of current in the negative direction approaches zero on the x-axis, which in turn, reduces the magnetising force and the flux density to point (e) in the loop, such that, the AC current is subsequently at (0).

• Similarly, a residual flux remains within the core at curve (e - f) until gradually removed by the magnetising force and current flowing in the positive direction of the subsequent supply waveform.

• Notice that the hysteresis loop is symmetrical. This loop continues endlessly for as long as the supply is connected. The area of the loop is a measure of the loss. The larger the area of the hysteresis loop, then the larger the loss; conversely, the smaller the area the smaller the loss.

ACDs

Some RCD manufacturers refer to hysteresis loops within their technical data. As shown in Fig 4, hysteresis loops vary for the different operating characteristics ofRCDs, typically due to the magnetic properties of the material used for the toroid core. A Type AC RCD core generally employs a magnetically harder material. This produces greater energy losses, has a higher remanence and retains a greater proportion of magnetic flux long after the external force is removed than a magnetically softer core would. Type A RCDs employ a magnetically softer material core producing less energy losses with a lower remanence in which a much smaller proportion of magnetic flux is retained (see Fig 4 (b)).

Fig 5 Impact on a AC sinusoidal waveform in the presence of an offset DC current

i) Resultant magnetic flow in the core caused by the excitation AC residual current in a linear circuit

ii) Decreased resultant magnetic flow in the core caused by the combined excitation AC and offset DC residual current in a non-linear circuit

Fig 6 Hysteresis curves showing the comparison between residual current in a linear circuit (i) and a non-linear circuit (ii), comprising of a DC component

Amend'',ent2 The18thEditi

Non-linearloads

Equipment such as static inverters used in solar PV and battery energy storage systems, and variable frequency drives are typical examples of non-linear loads.

Unlike linear connected loads, final circuits containing equipment with passive and active electronic components, typically used for high frequency switching during the conversion of an DC to AC supply for example, can produce complex waveforms that contain smaller currents at higher frequencies 3 As a result, the operational currents can impose changes in the impedance of the equipment with respect to the applied voltage.

In such cases, the resultant load and earth leakage residual currents will likely comprise pulsed and/ or smooth DC components as an operational characteristic of the connected equipment, and not only under fault conditions'.

At this point, any current having a forward bias DC component would typically be induced into the toroid core of the RCD. Depending on the magnitude of the direct current, this may result in a relatively small residual flux, or alternatively, an increasing flux within the RCD core, reaching the point of saturation and full magnetisation as described earlier in this article.

Although it is recognised that multiple waveforms are present in such circumstances, Fig 5, provides

2.

an example of a single AC sinusoidal residual current waveform (a,) superimposed on an existing DC component (ao).This shift represents a greater proportion of the AC current waveform offset in a positive direction on the Y-axis. This further increases saturation in the core and consequently, changes the operating point of the magnetic material as shown on the (H) axis in Fig 6 (ii).

It is worth noting at this point that the magnitude of both positive and negative cycles of the residual current remain the same; it is, however, the complete AC waveform that is offset by the presence of the DC current.

Such conditions can have a detrimental effect on the sensitivity and functionality of an RCD. Any subsequent leakage fault current to earth could go undetected, as it may no longer be possible for the AC residual current and resultant magnetising force to impose any further changes in the direction of the magnetising flux within the ferromagnetic material, due to the pre-existing core saturation caused by the direct residual current (I11nc).Therefore, very little or no emf would be induced in to the coil and trip circuit. In effect, the core has become saturated to a point where the search coil cannot detect an emf (see Fig G(ii)).

This is sometimes referred to as "RCD blinding", because of the persistent remanence 5

3.

Note: Historically some test equipment manufacturers used artificial core saturation to provide an RCD 'No-Trip' function while an earth loop impedance test was carried out.

It should be recognised that some manufacturers produce microprocessorcontrolled RCDs that have a selfdiagnostic facility and are able to continually monitor for DC components more accurately and verify the status of DC fault currents.

Summary

This article looked at the fundamental principles of an RCD while providing an overview of the hysteresis loop. Also considered were the effects of the DC component when imposed in the core of an RCD due to the presence of active and passive semiconductors in nonlinear loads.

The characteristics of magnetic material used within the toroid core of Type AC and Type A RCDs was also considered.

4.

5.

1. A non-linearcircuit is an electrical circuit whose parameters(forexample,resistance, inductance,and frequency)are variedwith respect to voltageandcurrent.A non-linearcircuit would includesuch componentsas diodes, transistors, transformers and the like. The output waveform would not be represented by a straight line (linear) but a curve.

The material used within the primary magnetic circuit (B/H curve) of an A Type RCD will typically have improved characteristics over that used for an AC type. The core material must be able to withstand the DC component to prevent early core saturation.

Annex 53 and Figure A53.1 of BS 7671 provides some examples oft he irregular waveforms resulting from such types of equipment containing semiconductors and identifies how the shape of the waveform is affected for various types of connected loads under fault conditions.

Higher and mixed frequency components may also exist depending on the type of connected loads, although this is outside the scope of this article.

Remanence is the flux density (magnetism) retained in material once the point of saturation has been reached and the external magnetising force has been removed.

TESTSEQUENCEFDA PERIODICINSPECTION

Objective:BS7671 contains clear requirements in respect of the order in which many tests have to be carried out during initial verification. However, no such information is given in respect of testing carried out as part of a periodic inspection of a property. This article discusses some differences between initial and periodic verification pertinent to testing and suggests a sequence of testing which may be appropriate for use when carrying out a periodic inspection.

Initialverification

Section 643 of BS 7671 contains requirements for the testing of an electrical installation during initial verification.

Regulation 643.1 states that the tests described in Regulations 643.2 to 643.11, where relevant and appropriate for the installation being tested, shall be carried out. It also states that the tests described in Regulations:

• 643.2 Continuity of conductors

• 643.3 Insulation resistance

e 643.4 Protection by SELV,PELV or by electrical separation

• 643.5 Insulation resistance/ impedance of floors and walls

• 643.6 Polarity shall be undertaken, where relevant, in that sequence before the installation or that part being worked on is energised.

It is important that these tests are performed in the correct sequence. For example, we must verify the continuity of a conductor before carrying out an insulation resistance test to confirm

that the test voltage is applied to the full length of all of the relevant conductor(s) to be tested. Without verifying end-to-end continuity first the insulation resistance test might only be applied to a part of the conductor(s).

Regulation 643.1 advises that: 'If any test indicates a failure to comply, that test and any preceding test, the results of which may have been influenced by the fault indicated, shall be repeated after the fault has been rectified'.

Additionally, where the installation incorporates an earth electrode, the testing described in Regulation 643.7.2 shall also be carried out prior to the installation, or that part being worked on, being energised.

Thereafter, the applicable tests described in Regulations:

• 643.7.3 Earth fault loop impedance and prospective fault current

• 643.8 Additional protection

• 643.9 Check of phase sequence

• 643.10 Functional testing shall also be carried out.

Periodicverification

BS 7671 does not state a sequence for testing forming part of periodic inspection activities. It also does not state which tests should be carried out during periodic inspection and testing. However Regulation 651.2 states that the periodic inspection shall be supplemented by appropriate testing and measurements from Chapter 64.

Any sequence of testing employed during a periodic inspection must take account of the differences between initial and periodic verification. Perhaps the key difference is that, in many cases, an existing installation will be connected to a supply and will be energised prior to the periodic inspection taking place.

Where this is the case, it would seem wise to carry out some testing at the origin, with the installation energised, to determine the adequacy, or otherwise, of the supply arrangement before progressing to any further inspection or testing within the installation.

This preliminary testing might identify damage, defects or

arrangement for

following sequence reproduced from the NICIEC publication Site Guide (18th Edition AMD 2), may be appropriate, bearing in mind that not all the tests listed will be applicable to any particular installation:

Summary

BS 7671 does not state a specific sequence for testing during a periodic inspection. As, in many cases, the electrical supply to the premises being inspected will be energised, once it has been established via a visual inspection of the relevant equipment etc. that it is safe to do so, the suitability of the existing supply arrangement should be verified as a first step. In some cases, where issues are observed, this may well prevent any further live testing taking place or possibly stop the verification completely.

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. Which one of the following terms would best represent the equivalent heating effect provided by a current in an AC supply when rectified in to a ripple-free and constant DC supply?

a. Irms-Ivc

b. Irms.e:lvc

c. Irmsslvc

d. Irms=lvc

2. What specific functions does the PEL conductor provide?

a. Protective earthing

b. Aline conductor

c. A combined protective earthing and line conductor

d. A combined protective earthing and neutral conductor

3. Which one of the following colours represents the earthed conductor in a two-wire DC circuit?

a. White

b. Red

c. Black

d. Blue

4. What term is used to describe the residual magnetic flux within the ferromagnetic core after the removal of the applied external force?

a. Coercivity

b. Remanence

C. Flux density

d. Magnetic flux

5. What term is given to the force required to remove the magnetic flux held within ferromagnetic material?

a. Coercivity

b. Flux density

C. Remanence

d. Hysteresis loss

6. Non-linearloadsmaybe considered as equipment capable of producing complex waveforms. What component is typically used for the conversion of DC to AC that may cause such effects?

a. Resistors

b. Capacitors

C. Inductors

d. Transistors

7. From what date did the corrigendum to BS7671:2018+A2 come into force?

a. 28 March 2022

b. 28 September 2022

c. 15 January 2023

d. 15 May 2023

8. A corrigendum should not be issued in order to address which of the following?

a. Technical errors introduced during drafting or production of a standard

b. Periodic review of technical content

c. Ambiguities or disputable content

d. Urgent safety issues

9. Where,inBS7671,arethe requirements for periodic inspection and testing stated?

a. Chapter 65

b. Chapter 62

c. Section 135

d. Appendix 6

10. Where a circuit is permanently monitored by a residual current monitor (RCM) and its functionality has been confirmed, it is not necessary to carry out which of the following tests on that circuit?

a. Continuity of protective conductors

b. Insulation resistance

c. Earth fault loop impedance

d. Prospective fault current.

Answers and rationale

Q A Explanation

1. d. The value of Irms current flowing in an AC supply would provide the equivalent heating effect as the current I De flowing in a DC resistive circuit.

2. c. The PEL conductor combines the functions of both the protective Part 2 (Definitions) earthing conductor and line conductor.

3. d. The colour Blue should be used for either the positive or negative Table51 earthed conductor in a two-wire DC circuit.

4. b. The term remanence is given to the remaining magnetic flux held permanently within the ferromagnetic material after the removal of the external force producing it.

5. a. A current flow in the opposite direction is needed to 'coerce' or force the coreto become demagnetised. This is referred to as coercivity.

6. d. Transistors such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are capable of switchinghigh voltages and/or large currents with low power losses and are typically used for high frequency switching within an inverter for the conversion of DC to AC.

7. d. The corrigendum came into effect immediately on publication on 15 May 2023.

8. b. British Standards are typically reviewed at least every five years. BSO

A corrigendum can be issued where: Clause 6.2.1

• There is evidence that a standard is unclear, inaccurate, disputable or in any other way unfit for purpose.

• Errors have been introduced inadvertently during production or drafting of a standard that could lead to incorrect or unsafe application of that standard.

9. a. Chapter 65 contains requirements for periodic inspection and testing.

In BS 7671:2008 (17th Edition) such requirements were found in Chapter 62. Regulation 135.1 recommends that every installation is subjected to periodic inspection and testing, although regulation 652.2 allows for periodic inspection and testing to be replaced by an adequate regime of monitoring and maintenance in certain instances.

Appendix 6 contains the model forms for certification and reporting. As this is an informative appendix, it contains no requirements.

10. b. In such circumstances it is not necessary to carry out an insulation resistance test. 651.2

DFFGAiD

CORNWALLDIGSDEEPFDAHERT

Precisely 5,275m underground, some warm granite rocks will soon be heating water and radiators in 3,800 homes and public facilities around Truro. It's all thanks to Geothermal Engineering, which, through the government's Green Heat Network Fund, got £22m to generate baseload electricity and heat energy from the granite.

So far, the company has drilled Langarth Deep Geothermal Heat Network's borehole, and expects to start producing power in 2024. It says the first plant will deliver 2MWe ofbaseload electricity and up to lOMWth of zero-carbon heat.

NICEIC's Paul Collins points out that his hometown of Southampton is ahead of the curve. It has had a geothermal system since the 1980s.

France's parking lots go solar

Carparksareoftenablotonthelandscape.Now,somearegaining greencredentials.CarsparkedatGardenCityShoppingMallinNairobi, Kenya,HoffenheimFootballStadium in Sinsheim,Germany,and Nottingham'sKenMartinLeisureCentreareallshelteredbycanopies ofPVpanels.TheFrenchhavegoneonestepfurther.They'veapproved abillthatrequiresnewandexistingparkinglotswithmorethanBO spacestobeatleasthalfcoveredwithsolarcanopies.According tothegovernmentthere,thesecanopiescouldgenerateupto 11gigawattsofrenewableenergy-around8%ofthecountry'sentire electricaloutput.Ohlala!

HVDRDGEN ONTHEBUSES

The30,000peopleofBallymenainNorthernIreland[and beyond)couldsoonbewavinggoodbyetogas-guzzling publictransport.There's£25moffundinginplaceto developahydrogendouble-deckerbus.

It'sajointeffortbetweenCrawley'srenewableenergy innovator,BrambleEnergy,andBallymena-based bus manufacturerWrightbus.Theideaisthatthevehicles willbepoweredbyBramble's'firstofitskind'fuelcell technology.Thefirmsaysitcancreatebespokefuelcell stacksina"matterofdaysatscaleandlowcost".

THEMAGICOFMUSHROOMS

A bionic mushroom in New Jersey is producing electricity. Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology took a white button mushroom and added 3D-printed clusters of cyanobacteria, which is capable of

Jphotosynthesis and can generate electricity.

M The mushroom's nutrients, moisture, pH and ii temperature allow the microbes to generate 'l, electricity for longer than on, say, silicone or dead mushrooms. The Institute added graphene

t; nano ribbons to collect the current. Shining alight on the mushrooms activates the cyanobacterial i::

photosynthesis, which generates a photocurrent. rn Now how would thatlook on a bedside table?

AccordingtoBramble,itspatent-protectedprinted circuitboardtechnologyeliminatestherequirementfor somecomplexandcostlycomponentsfoundinatypical electrochemicalstack.Thatsimplifiesthesupplychainand doesnotrequirevastretoolingformanufacture.What's more,thefuel-cellstackscanbemadeinalmostanysize andarrangement,dependingonwhat'sneeded.

ThesebuseswillbepartoftheUK'sambitionstobuildan end-to-endsupplychainforzero-emissionvehicles. Busesmightjustbethestart.Thistechlendsitself totheproductionofelectricityforallmannerofuses."' Bramble'sDrVidalBharathsays:"Fuel-celltechnology1l'oJJ" candeliveraviablenet-zerosolutionthatlendsitselfto commercialvehicleswheredowntimeneedstobelimited."