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September 2026

New PV innovations from KNIPEX – page 10

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28/08/2026 17:40:23

CONTENTS

12 8 Welcome

19 4

News – Fresh guidance on plug-in solar panels

Lighting – Circular Lighting Live 2026

Spotlight – The skills gap

Viewpoints – Losing 10 weeks a year to paperwork?

Cover Story – Tools for today’s electrical jobs

A Letter from Europe – The wire that changed everything

Smart Homes – Career expansion and new business opportunities

Software & Apps – Doing more with less

Contractor Corner – All-terrain PPE for the modern linesman

Fire & Safety – Keeping pace with the workplace

Solar – A bigger problem in UK housing design

Products

Closing Argument – Greater demand doe certified solar installers

Switched On – Greenwich Subway & Victoria Embankment

Editor James Cooke james.cooke@purplems.com

Production designer Lorna Reekie lorna.reekie@purplems.com

Sales manager Haydon Rainsford haydon.rainsford@purplems.com

Production designer Rob Tremain rob.tremain@purplems.com

Managing director Ed Hunt Post Purple Media Solutions St Stephen’s St, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2AD, UK. T: 01732 371570

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily those of Purple Media Solutions.

Plug in because, well, plug-in solar panels are here! While demand is expected to be high due to soaring energy bills, Electrical Safety First has published guidance, warning that not all homes are currently equipped to handle the plug and play panels. You can find the five recommendations the charity has set out to reduce risk on the next page. There’s so much more to get stuck into this issue, concluding with the solar theme as Dan White from MCS (the Microgeneration Certification Scheme) debates why the demand for certified solar installers is greater than ever in our Closing Argument on page 43. The other hot topic this month is the skills gap, spotlighted across pages 6 and 8. On page 6, Patricia Gardiner from Trade Direct Insurance makes the case for female tradies as the solution. On page 8, Steven Watt, an NICEIC-Approved Electrician from Peterhead, argues for a Gas Safe-style model with annual competency checks for electricians and contractors, as Amendment 4 to BS 7671 looms. We have a lot more in store for you this issue, including a letter from Europe and various homegrown viewpoints. Enjoy the magazine! James Cooke james.cooke@purplems.com

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September 2026

01/09/2026 23:33:25

NEWS | LOG ONTO www.electricaltimes.co.uk FOR MORE

Electrical Safety First issues fresh guidance on plug-in solar panels, ECA welcomes “timely” intervention ELECTRICAL SAFETY FIRST has published new guidance for households considering plug-in solar panels, warning that not every home is currently suitable for the technology and urging consumers to have their electrics checked before buying. The charity’s intervention comes amid a growing consumer market for plug-in solar systems, which allow households to generate their own electricity without a full rooftop installation. However, Electrical Safety First has raised concerns that the technology, which sends electricity in the opposite direction through a property’s wiring, could damage older residual current devices (RCDs) designed to protect against electric shock. Luke Osborne, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, said: “Plug-in solar panels send electricity in the opposite direction in your property’s wiring. Whilst many modern homes may be able to enjoy this technology safely, we still have concerns plug-in solar panels may damage older devices in people’s homes which protect people from electric shock, known as RCDs.”

He added: “Because of this, it is our view that not every home will currently be suitable for plug-in solar. We urge households to ensure they have an RCD suitable for this technology and to consult a competent electrician if they are unsure if they have the right protections in place in their home.”

Five-point guidance The charity has set out five recommendations for households to reduce risk: 1. Not every home is currently suitable – Electrical Safety First recommends at least a Type A bidirectional RCD on circuits intended for plug-in solar. Homes with older Type AC RCDs should not use the systems until upgrading. 2. Have electrics checked before buying – Households should have their

installation assessed by a competent electrician registered with a competent persons scheme before purchase, particularly in older properties. 3. Avoid extension leads and adapters – Plug-in solar systems should never be connected via extension leads, cable reels, multiway adaptors, travel adaptors or plug-in RCD adaptors, which can overheat and create additional safety risks. 4. Buy only from reputable retailers – The charity is warning against thirdparty sellers on online marketplaces, which it says are not currently legally responsible for the safety of goods sold via their platforms. 5. One home, one device – Only one plug-in solar system should be installed per household, as multiple units could reduce the effectiveness of protective devices. The charity said its concerns were first raised in a report published earlier this year, which prompted a Government safety study. However, Electrical Safety First said it felt the study’s scope was too limited and did not

fully assess the potential impact of plug-in solar on older-style RCDs.

Industry response The guidance has been welcomed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA). Gary Parker, Deputy Director of Technical at ECA, said: “We welcome Electrical Safety First’s timely and constructive statement published today, which rightly puts consumer safety at the heart of the growing plug-in solar market. “Plug-in solar has the potential to help more households engage positively with low-carbon energy, but it is important that consumers understand these systems are not suitable for every home. Getting an installation assessed by a competent electrician before buying, avoiding unsafe connections through extension leads or adapters, and purchasing only from reputable retailers are sensible steps that will support safe and confident uptake.” He added: “As this market develops, clear guidance and competent advice will be key to helping consumers benefit from these products safely and with confidence.”

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September 2026

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ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2026, the Electrical Industries Charity will celebrate 121 years with a 13 kilometre walk through London, bringing together supporters from across the electrical and energy sector to shine a spotlight on mental health and wellbeing. The walk celebrates more than a century of the Charity’s work supporting individuals and families working in the electrical and energy industries through life’s challenges. Starting at King’s Cross St Pancras at 10:00am and finishing at London Bridge at approximately 4:00pm, participants will walk together through the capital to

raise awareness of the positive impact that simple, everyday actions can have on mental wellbeing. The event also highlights the need for continued conversations around mental health. By walking side by side, participants are sending the message that support is available, help can be found, and there is always hope. Every positive action, no matter how small, contributes to better mental wellbeing. To donate or find out more, visit: https://electricalcharity.enthuse.com/ cf/eic-day-2026

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

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28/08/2026 12:45:18 28/08/2026 17:29:52

SPOTLIGHT | TRADE DIRECT INSURANCE

Female tradies are the solution to the skills gap crisis: Here’s how the industry can embrace them Small but important obstacles are putting women off joining the trades, but to overcome the growing skills gap, female talent is more valuable than ever. Patricia Gardiner, sales and marketing director for Trade Direct Insurance, discusses why increasing the number of skilled female tradespeople is vital to address skills shortages

he idea of attracting women into the trades is nothing new. Attempts have been made for years now to bring more female workers into a traditionally male-dominated sector. But whilst there have been varying degrees of success, many of the same problems persist. With a growing skill shortage in the industry, diversifying the workforce is not just something that will benefit women seeking a career in the trades, but also a vital step to ensure continued sustainability in the sector as a whole, which is currently experiencing concerning levels of attrition as older, experienced workers leave the workforce without being replaced. With more women entering the trades, the industry has a real opportunity to build on this momentum and help address the skills shortage. Female tradies are just as capable as their male counterparts, and the evidence suggests that a significant number of women outside of the trades would be open to a career on the tools. For an industry with a skills shortage, appealing to a greater number of prospective workers should be a no-brainer. Identifying the opportunity presented by an expanded workforce of female tradies is one thing, but there is no doubt that institutional hurdles exist that make it more challenging and less appealing for women to join the industry. In order to make the trades a truly appealing career option for women, there are three main areas that need to be addressed in order to unlock this opportunity for growth.

1. Increasing awareness during education Education institutions are prioritising pushing teenagers towards higher education, and this is especially true for girls. Nearly two-fifths (38%) of women say they would learn a trade if they had the chance again1, indicating significant untapped potential for the industry. With such strong interest, appealing to young women searching for a rewarding practical career on the tools is therefore a logical step to ensure the industry thrives in the long term. We’re already seeing some improvements, but progress is slow. In the last 10 years, the percentage of women working in skilled trades has been growing in most industries, but numbers are still small. Some industries have seen more success than others, with growing numbers of female plumbers, electricians, painters and decorators. To grow these numbers further, girls in school need to be aware of the opportunities available to them in the trades. A career on the tools is simply not something that is suggested to many girls as they consider their future, but by changing this, we can unlock a huge amount of potential.

September 2026

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2. Improving pathways to a career As young women are not generally aware of opportunities in the trades when they’re in school, many female tradespeople enter the workforce by reskilling later in life. Here, the apprenticeship system presents a problem. A four-year apprenticeship, working one day a week for less than minimum wage, is a major hurdle for people who have already been working and earning. Only large companies can afford to provide proper full-time apprenticeships, but these places are limited. The lack of appropriate financial compensation for older apprentices and limited full-time apprenticeships ultimately means that most women who are willing and interested in transitioning to a career in the trades are blocked unless they have the finances to self-fund or the time to commit to a long-term training program. To enable professional women to be able to make the transition towards the trades, apprenticeships need to be a financially viable option. This would benefit the entire industry, encouraging older women and men alike to consider reskilling and attracting new talent to the industry.

3. Creating a safe working environment Construction and the trades have traditionally been male-oriented industries, which can sometimes present additional challenges for women entering the workforce. For example, gender specific PPE has only this year become a legal requirement, meaning that many women in the trades have to make do with poorly fitting equipment made for men. This not only causes discomfort but also poses a very real health and safety risk on-site. There is also the serious issue of workplace safety, with female workers being at risk of sexual harassment or assault from colleagues and customers. As well as being an important safety issue, these problems can put women off from wanting to join the industry, and contribute to women choosing to leave the industry earlier. Creating a safe working environment for tradeswomen is, therefore, a vital step towards creating an industry where women can thrive.

What’s next? Growing the female workforce in our industry isn’t a question of making the trades more interesting to women; a significant number of women are already interested! Instead, the industry needs to make small but significant changes to unlock the huge potential of a growing female workforce. By creating pathways into the trades for women, we can make the challenge of closing the skills gap much easier to accomplish. With interest already present, the opportunity is clear; small changes now could have a lasting impact on the future of the industry.

The industry can embrace this opportunity through minor changes, ensuring that the trades are advertised in schools as a career option for girls, and making apprenticeships a more financially viable option by increasing support for companies offering placements. Governing bodies can also take steps to tackle women’s safety issues, providing greater access to appropriate PPE and increasing protection from harassment. For employers interested in attracting female tradespeople, there are several simple steps that can be taken. If you can offer apprenticeships, ensure that they are genuinely valuable learning experiences, and where possible, offer increased work to allow apprentices to learn on the job faster. You can also establish a safe working environment by providing, or helping apprentices obtain suitable, gender specific PPE, as well as ensuring both you and your apprentices are covered by Employer’s Liability Insurance. Hattie Hasan MBE, Founder and Director of Stopcocks Women Plumbers, a womenonly plumbing company, adds: “We’ve seen slow progress towards creating a more inclusive industry, but there is still a long way to go until construction and skilled trades truly become an appealing and accessible career option for women. Pressure on the government has led to legislation improving female-specific PPE, and some industry governing bodies, such as CITB, are now beginning to realise that a more diverse workforce is a significant positive for the industry. “However, other governing bodies are lagging, believing that they should only be concerned with technical standards and not improving diversity. This is a short-sighted mistake which will inevitably make these industries less desirable for women and other underrepresented groups. “Above all, employers need to take the safety of women in the workplace seriously. Whilst some protections are present in existing legislation, such as the Equalities Act, further action is needed. Categorising harassment and misogyny as aspects of workplace health and safety is a logical and important step, and the HSE should implement this urgently. This would make harassment subject to health and safety reporting processes and risk assessments, which will help to safeguard women in the workplace and increase identification of breaches. “Only once these changes have been implemented will we see our industry become a legitimately popular career for aspiring and talented women.” For more information on Trade Direct Insurance, visit: https://www.tradedirectinsurance.co.uk/

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

01/09/2026 23:34:23

WATCH IT FEED

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01/09/2026 13:21:33

SPOTLIGHT | AMENDMENT 4

Thousands of UK electricians face October deadline as trade body’s decade-long campaign for statutory register stalls A working electrician says protection of title alone is not enough – Britain needs annual competency checks on the Gas Safe model to stop unqualified operators and keep experienced workers current

en weeks from now, every electrician in Britain must be working to a new mandatory safety standard. A Scottish tradesman is warning that neither government nor industry is ready — and is calling for a licensing regime that goes further than anything currently on the table. Amendment 4 to BS 7671, which governs UK electrical installation work, becomes mandatory on 15 October 2026, replacing the previous version. It covers a trade transformed by EV chargers, solar PV, battery storage and smart home systems — technologies many experienced electricians have never been assessed on. Steven Watt, a NICEIC Approved Electrician trading as Faithful Spark Electricians in Peterhead, qualified in 2001 and has since added EV charger, solar PV and testing and inspection credentials. He says most of the trade cannot or will not do the same. “I’m turning work away right now, because I can’t find good folk to do it properly. Nobody can remember it being this bad,” said Watt.

A workforce in freefall England’s electrical workforce has fallen by more than 26% since 2018, from 214,200 to around 158,000, according to JTL’s Powering the Future report, and Skills England estimates a further 32,000 will be needed by 2035 to meet clean energy targets alone. The pipeline replacing them is collapsing. More than 10,500 apprenticeship starts a year are needed to stabilise the workforce, but current starts sit at around 7,540 and fell 5.5% in 2024/25, even as starts across other trades rose 4.1%, according to the ECA’s 2026 Electrical Skills Index. Job vacancies now outnumber new apprentices 227 to one, according to Electrical Times.

The economics no longer make sense In 1999, when the National Minimum Wage launched at £3.60 an hour, a qualified SJIB electrician earned roughly two and a half times that rate. By April 2026 the minimum wage had risen 253% to £12.71 an hour, but electrician pay has not kept pace: the SJIB shop rate for an Electrician in Scotland is now just £16.95 an hour — 1.33 times the minimum wage. Becoming qualified still means four to five years of apprenticeship on low wages, a raft of City and Guilds qualifications, and thousands of pounds in tools — all before a single invoice is raised. “Why would a 17-year-old sign up for four years on apprentice wages when a warehouse pays nearly the same from day one, no exams,” said Watt.

Experienced electricians are leaving — and the current campaign does not stop it Scotland’s largest electrical trade body, SELECT, has campaigned for more than a decade for protection of title for electricians. Fifty-seven MSPs, including former First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, have signed its call. Westminster examined mandatory registration in 2013 and 2014 before rejecting it.

September 2026

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Watt supports the principle but says it does not go far enough. It controls who may call themselves an electrician, but does nothing about a tradesman qualified in 1994 who has never installed an EV charger, and whose last competency assessment was the day he sat his finals — he is working legally today, and will still be after 15 October if title protection is the only change made. Many long-serving electricians will not resit examinations, and a significant number will leave rather than do so. “I know guys with 20, 30 years in looking at resitting exams and just saying no, I’m done. We’re losing the most experienced people at the exact moment we need them most.”

battery storage, testing and inspection, and current wiring regulations — affordable and accessible, not a requalification programme costing thousands. “Make it annual, make it cover what the job actually involves now, and make it accessible. Do that and you keep experienced people working, protect the public, and stop the cowboys undercutting everybody,” said Watt. The safety case is not theoretical: electrical faults cause 53.4% of accidental dwelling fires in England — 14,186 fires in a single recorded year, resulting in 11 fatalities and 321 injuries, according to Electrical Safety First. The title “electrician” carries no legal protection, and anyone may carry out electrical installation work regardless of qualifications.

The proposal: a Gas Safe model, but with annual competency checks

Demand has never been higher, and 15 October changes nothing by itself

Gas Safe registration has been a legal requirement for gas work since 1998, combining a statutory licence to practise, a searchable public register, category-specific authorisations and real enforcement. No equivalent exists for electrical work in Britain. Watt is proposing a statutory electrical register on the Gas Safe model, with annual renewal requiring competency assessment across EV chargers, solar PV,

Net zero targets, a million EV chargers still to install, growing solar and battery installation, and new housebuilding targets are all driving demand for qualified electricians upward, with no corresponding rise in supply. “Everybody wants net zero, an EV charger, solar panels on the roof. Fine — so who’s going to fit them? If we keep losing electricians at this rate, there won’t be anybody left to plug it all in.”

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

01/09/2026 23:35:08

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28/07/2026 10:06:31 28/08/2026 17:45:35

10 COVER STORY | KNIPEX

Tools for today’s electrical jobs From solar installations to large-scale cable preparation, KNIPEX’s latest additions are designed around the tasks electricians are tackling more frequently on site

olar installation has moved from a specialist sideline to a routine part of many electricians’ workload. As PV systems continue to multiply, the connector work that goes with them, the cutting, stripping, crimping and securing MC4® plug-type connections, is now a frequent task rather than an occasional one. KNIPEX has responded with three new additions to its photovoltaic range for 2026, each built to make that work faster, more consistent and easier to carry on site.

Three tools, one operation The KNIPEX PreciForce (97 52 42 6) is a crimping plier developed specifically for MC4 ® and MC4 ® Evo 2 connectors on 6 mm² PV cables. Cutting, stripping and crimping can all be carried out with the same pair of pliers so there’s no need to swap tools mid-task. An effective lever transmission system delivers high crimping force from a lightweight, compact body, while an improved crimp geometry is designed to maintain strong conductivity in every joint. A trigger lock built to IEC 60352 means the crimping cycle cannot complete until the correct, factory-calibrated pressure has been reached, so quality stays consistent from the first connector to the last. It’s pocket-sized, lightweight, has ergonomically shaped handles and is comfortable to use across repeated crimps.

September 2026

Finishing the connection Alongside the new PreciForce, KNIPEX has introduced a Set of Mounting Tools (97 49 66 3) for tightening the housing screw connection and unlocking the plug connection on MC4® and MC4® Evo 2 connectors. The two assembly tools are magnetically coupled, so they stay together as a single unit in transport but separate easily the moment they are needed, no screws, clips or spare pouches required.

The tool body is made from robust, glass-fibrereinforced plastic to withstand daily use on site and a built-in millimetre scale lets installers check stripped cable length without reaching for a separate measure. It’s a small addition to the toolkit but one that removes several extra steps from every connector installed.

Everything in one case For installers who want the full PV connector system in a single, organised package, KNIPEX has also launched the Tool Case for Photovoltaics (97 91 04 V03), an eight-piece set built around professional cutting, stripping, crimping and assembly. At its core are the Crimp System Pliers (97 43 66 EVO), a modified crimping tool for plug-type connectors up to 10 mm² with crimping pressure calibrated at the factory. A second locator is included (97 49 71 1) for standard MC4 ®. The case also includes Cable Shears (95 16 165) for copper cables up to 15 mm in diameter, a Precision Insulation Stripper (12 12 12) with blades adapted for 4.0, 6.0 and 10.0 mm² cables and the Set of Mounting Tools (97 49 66 3) for housing and plug connections. The system is designed to grow: it can be expanded with any of the 97 49 XX crimping dies and locators, opening up close to 1,000 additional crimping applications. Inside, a foam tray holds all components securely in place and the whole set is protected by an impact-resistant plastic case built for site conditions. These new KNIPEX tools give installers a complete, calibrated system for MC4 ® connector work, whether the job calls for a single lightweight tool in a pocket or a fully equipped case ready for a day of installations. As solar continues to grow as a core part of electrical work, KNIPEX’s 2026 range is designed to keep pace with it. To find out more about these new additions and all of the KNIPEX PV range, visit https:// www.knipex.com

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

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13.08.2026 14:52:07 28/08/2026 17:46:38

12 SMART HOMES | CEDIA

Career expansion and new business opportunities – why electricians need a smart home qualification The UK smart home market is worth £3.1 billion but is served by under 4,000 professionals*. Yet many trade professionals still think smart home installations are the exclusive territory of IT specialists or AV engineers. And so, they’re walking away from one of the fastest-growing revenue streams in the build industry. A market worth billions, served by a fraction of the workforce it needs The imbalance between a growing demand and a limited number of certified professionals means that those who upskill now can lead the field and attract high-value projects. In addition, the Trade Skills Index projects that the country will need an estimated 104,000 additional electricians by 2032. The demand is real, and smart home work, which commands premium day rates and repeat business from homeowners investing in longterm systems, is sitting largely untapped.

The misconceptions holding people back I hear a lot of electricians say that smart home installation is simply “not really their area”, or they don’t know where to start “with the tech side”. Both responses reveal the same misunderstanding.

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Upskilling to smart home installations is not a career pivot — it’s a natural next step by Matt Nimmons, CEDIA EMEA Managing Director

Smart home installation is not a new, solitary profession. It is simply an electrical trade profession that has incorporated smart technology. The core competencies, like reading technical drawings, installing cabling infrastructure, mounting and commissioning equipment, and troubleshooting on-site, are skills that qualified electricians already possess. The smart home layer sits on top of that foundation, not beneath it. Another misconception is that smart home training requires lengthy training and a huge time investment. But most professionals already come with the foundational skills and only need specific additional knowledge enabling them to operate confidently in a smart home environment. The jump from competent electrician to smart home installer is not a leap; it is a step. And it can significantly increase earning potential. A great example is Ben Pratt, now Director of luxury AV installation company White Onyx Automation, who started as an electrician. He came into contact with the smart home industry through a project, and after, he began to enrol in training sessions and teach himself about the industry. A few years on, he founded his own smart installation company, which won him the CEDIA newcomer award in 2024.

I speak to a lot of trade professionals who are concerned that offering smart home services means giving up other work streams. But a builder who can offer a smart heating package alongside a renovation quote is more competitive. An electrician who can advise on whole-home networking while rewiring a kitchen is more valuable to that client. A plumber who understands how smart heating controls integrate with a new boiler installation is solving problems that others cannot. These are not niche specialisms; they are straightforward differentiators in a market where homeowners increasingly expect connected solutions as standard. Demand for smart home technology is not a trend on the horizon. At CEDIA, we can see that it has already arrived. The tradespeople who recognise this early, and who invest even a few days in structured training, will be the ones fielding the calls that others do not know how to answer. * CEDIA, 2025 Professional Smart Home Market Analysis

To find out more about CEDIA’s Smart Home Essentials training pathway and entry routes for tradespeople, visit https://cedia.org/ smart-home-professionals/education/ Courses are designed for working professionals and can be completed around existing commitments.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:30:07

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28/08/2026 17:50:10

14 CONTRACTOR CORNER | DAN SHAW, LINESMAN

End-to-end performance: The importance of all-terrain PPE for the modern linesman “If you lose grip or your feet are wrecked by midday, it affects everything.”

n the utility industry, no two days are the same, with a single shift demanding everything from climbing poles to digging in saturated fields. For those working at height or with live electricity, PPE isn’t just a requirement, it’s a lifeline. It is not merely a piece of equipment or clothing to tick a box, but a considered, innovative solution that works with the user, developing as their role evolves and adapting to changing environments. First joining the industry straight from school, Dan now works across the North Wales and Chester region as a Linesman for one of the UK’s largest energy providers. He explains: “I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and I’ve always been sporty, so this job suited me straight away. Lots of people don’t really know the industry until they’re in it, but I absolutely love it. You’re outside every day, keeping active and working in a great team. It’s the perfect mix of physical work and problem solving.” For Dan’s role, PPE must be resilient to keep up with the grind of running and maintaining electricity networks day-to-day. He notes: “A typical day can be anything from fault work and planned maintenance to pole replacements, inspections and climbing. Some days you’re working at height, other days you’re on the ground setting up winches, digging, pulling cable and working around a plant. With such a variety of roles it is important to find equipment, clothing and footwear to answer to these daily demands.”

All weathers, all heights As well as the variety of work, a role such as Dan’s does not pause for unpredictable environments, so his footwear acts as a critical tool for risk reduction. He comments: “One of the biggest challenges in the industry is working safely when navigating changing weather, difficult grounding, time pressure, live electricity and working at height. Efficient PPE is a massive part of reducing risk, and footwear is one of the most important because if you lose grip or your feet are wrecked by midday, it affects everything.” Over the last month alone, Dan’s boots have taken him from overhead work in open fields to general network maintenance in urban communities. He explains: “The most testing conditions recently saw us working on a pole replacement in a muddy field where the ground was saturated and we had to walk back and forth carrying kit. Other days it can be rocky mountain regions working on lines above RAF training jets, uneven farmland, roadside verges and residential streets. Our working terrain covers almost anything, so it’s all about reducing risk in every aspect of the job, whether that be a rubber sole for protection or excellent grip for working at height.”

One pair, all day For a role such as Dan’s, one pair of boots that can handle everything isn’t just a preference but an efficiency requirement. He comments: “I don’t want to be changing boots for different jobs throughout the day so having a pair that’s suitable for everything works really well. For my role, I need footwear that is specifically designed to work for various environments, is comfortable,

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14_ET-Sep_ContractorCorner.indd 14

waterproof and has amazing grip. HAIX is one of our company’s recommendations and my Protector Pro 2.0s, answer all my needs.” This durability is equally vital for long stand-by shifts, as Dan explains: “We do 24-hour call-outs where we might work 8am–4pm and then be back out at 8pm-4am, so of course, comfortable footwear is absolutely essential. My boots will usually last about 18 months through heatwaves and storms alike; they handle the mud, they’re waterproof, and they are always reliable.” For Dan, comfort and safety cannot be taken for granted. He comments: “I don’t think people realise the thought that goes into footwear design and how impressive it is that one pair of boots can actually do it all.”

The changing industry When looking at PPE brands, Dan believes those that continue to develop with the changing demands of workers’ roles will lead the way. He explains: “It’s the brands that move with the times and keep developing that produce the best products. If they settle with what they know, they’ll fall behind. Also, with the shift in how workers connect and share recommendations via social media, brands need to engage with their customers in this space too. Overall, evolving with the industry is key.” Dan concludes: “With PPE being such an important part of my work, as it is for all roles where risk is a big factor, finding a solution which fits your personal requirements is very important. Whether that be clothing, equipment or footwear, safety and comfort should come first every time.”

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

01/09/2026 13:02:31

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02/09/2026 12:40:57

16 SOLAR | LEVELISE

Peak solar season exposes a bigger problem in UK housing design

eak solar season this year has exposed an issue in how UK homes are being designed under the Future Homes Standard. As generation increases – and with new solar records set this year already - large volumes of electricity are being produced at the same time, placing pressure on how that energy is stored, used and exported. The challenge is not the availability of solar technology, but how it is integrated into the wider energy system. Without systems that connect homes to pricing signals and flexibility markets, much of this seasonal value is lost at the point of production. When electricity is cheap or abundant, batteries charge. When demand peaks and prices spike, batteries discharge back to the grid. This arbitrage reduces bills, but the real value comes from participating across multiple markets simultaneously: wholesale trading, grid balancing services, capacity payments and local network flexibility. A single home battery can generate revenue from four or five sources in a day. Since October 2019, companies like Levelise have delivered exactly this outcome through energy flexibility, paying over £2 million directly to more than 5,500 customers by trading their battery storage across energy markets. These are not subsidised demonstration projects. They are ordinary homes with batteries, supported by infrastructure that connects them to multiple revenue streams. This represents a proven seven-year track record

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16_ET-Sep_Soalr-Levelise.indd 16

by Steve Day, Product Director at Levelise

of turning household batteries into active grid participants that earn money for homeowners while supporting system stability. However, installing a battery does not automatically unlock these benefits. Most residential batteries today sit largely idle during peak demand periods, unable to access the flexibility markets where the value lies. Ownership alone is not enough; participation requires compliant metering, control systems and market access. Today’s solutions only partially address this gap. Some optimisation platforms shift consumption into cheaper tariff periods, delivering savings but capturing only a fraction of available system value. Certain supplier-led programmes offer incremental improvements yet confine households within closed ecosystems. Meanwhile, API-based trading platforms provide software capability but lack the settlement-grade hardware integration required for higher-value grid services. Without the full stack, assets remain underutilised. Performance at scale requires an integrated layer between the home and the energy system, one that handles regulatory compliance, accurate measurement at the grid connection point, real-time control and simultaneous access to

wholesale, balancing, capacity and local flexibility markets. When delivered as infrastructure rather than a product, this capability can be deployed without upfront cost to homeowners, monetised through flexibility participation and shared in measurable returns. The industry must move beyond subsidised hardware alone. Germany’s plug-in solar rollout illustrates the limits of a deployment-first approach. More than one million homes installed small solar units in two years, reducing bills modestly through self-consumption, yet without the ability to trade power, store it strategically or provide grid services. The UK’s decision to allow plug-in solar under the Future Homes Standard signals a similar push towards rapid deployment. While this lowers barriers to adoption, scaling installation without integration risks replicating the same outcome: widespread generation capacity with limited system impact. Subsidies and regulation can accelerate adoption. But without the systems that connect homes to flexibility markets, millions of distributed assets will operate passively, capturing only a fraction of their potential value and contributing little to wider grid resilience. A well-insulated home with solar can significantly reduce consumption through self-use. Adding a battery allows generation to be shifted into evening peaks. The step-change comes when homes are designed to operate as part of the energy system itself - dynamically responding to price signals, participating in balancing markets and supporting network stability in real time. As the Future Homes Standard reshapes housing design, the question is no longer whether solar should be installed, but whether homes are being built to perform. Peak solar season makes the answer increasingly visible.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:35:35

SWITCHED ON 17 LOG ONTO www.electricaltimes.co.uk FOR MORE LIGHTING – SOLUTIONS FOR TODAY & TOMORROW

Acrospire Improves Safety Across Greenwich Subways with LED Lighting Upgrade

cross the Royal Borough of Greenwich, a network of pedestrian subways connects residential areas, roads and waterways. While essential for local movement, many of these spaces had become spaces people were reluctant to use, particularly after dark. Lighting levels were inconsistent, fittings were failing, and visibility was poor. In some locations, the lack of effective illumination contributed to anti-social behaviour, creating routes that felt unwelcoming and, at times, unsafe. Backed by funding from the Mayor’s Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF), the Council set out to address these challenges as part of a wider effort to improve infrastructure, reduce energy consumption and support safer public spaces. Acrospire carried out a full survey and lighting design across all locations, developing a tailored solution for each location using its VandaWay lighting system. Rather than relying on traditional ceiling-mounted fittings, VandaWay was positioned along the upper edges of the subway walls or in some cases on railing infrastructure. This delivers a continuous wash of light across both vertical and horizontal surfaces, improving facial recognition and eliminating the deep shadows typically associated with poorly lit subways and pathways.

Lighting design was central to the scheme’s success, particularly in managing the transition between daylight and night-time conditions. Subways require different illumination levels to support visual adaptation when entering and exiting, and each scheme was carefully designed to meet these requirements. The result is strong uniformity and clear, consistent visibility throughout. “Subways present a unique challenge. It’s not just about lighting the space, it’s about how people feel moving through it,” explains Ranjit Reehal, Area Sales Manager at Acrospire. “By improving visibility and removing dark spots, you create an environment where people can see clearly ahead of them, and that has a real impact on confidence and safety.” At Bryan Close Subway, daytime illuminance levels exceeded 300 lux, delivering clear visibility across the entire space. Night-time levels were carefully reduced to minimise glare while maintaining safe visibility. At locations such as Waterlily Walk, where the subway runs alongside a waterway, the lighting design also accounted for environmental considerations. Light was carefully controlled to remain focused within the pedestrian space, reducing unnecessary spill into the surrounding area. The project was installed by FM Conway. The robust, vandal-resistant construction of VandaWay was essential for these environments. Designed to withstand tampering

and minimise failure points, the system supports consistent performance in challenging conditions. The upgrade has transformed a series of underused and often avoided routes into safer, more accessible connections for the local community. Improved light levels and uniformity support safer movement, while the reduction in shadowing helps deter anti-social behaviour. At the same time, the transition to LED technology delivers energy savings and supports the Council’s wider carbon reduction goals. By combining considered lighting design with durable, fit-for-purpose products, the scheme demonstrates how targeted infrastructure upgrades can have a meaningful impact on how public infrastructure is used and experienced.

DW Windsor helps to preserve Victoria Embankment’s lighting heritage

he £4.6 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel project modernised London’s sewer network and, in the process, expanded several riverside sites, creating new public spaces and prompting upgrades to existing lighting. At Tyburn Quay and Bazalgette Embankment, this work brought two heritage lighting installations into focus. Delivered for Transport for London and the City of London Corporation as part of Tideway Central, led by FLO Joint Venture with FM Conway and WSP, the schemes drew on DW Windsor’s experience with historic lighting to retain each installation’s defining features while adding the structural, lighting and control technology needed for continued use. The road is lined with Grade II-listed cast column bases dating from 1900, featuring dolphins, floral detailing and depictions of Britannia, alongside later replicas. Each casting was removed to DW Windsor’s Hertfordshire factory for restoration and repainting in its original black, red and gold. New reinforced steel columns, matching the originals’ proportions, were fitted with traditional

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17_ET-Sep_SwitchedOn.indd 17

scroll brackets, gold-finished finials, and like-for-like Strand lanterns. The lanterns use LED technology and Zhaga sockets, allowing future CMS nodes to be added. DW Windsor then worked with FM Conway to return and reinstall the restored bases. Bazalgette Embankment presented a different challenge: George Vulliamy’s dolphin pedestal design, the “Sturgeon” lamp post from the original Victorian

Embankment works. The sculptural bases and cradles were retained, but the globe lanterns needed replacing. Working with installer London and Kent, DW Windsor developed an adjustable mounting system to fit new globes within the aged, irregular cradles. Each globe houses two LED systems — one for downward illumination with a rear shield to limit light spill towards the Thames, and one to softly light the upper section and opal lid. Set at 2700K for a warm tone, the globes also conceal Urban Control’s CMS antenna internally, preserving their original appearance. Robert Maisey, Operations Director at DW Windsor, said the Tyburn Quay work restored the installation’s character while adding the strength and technology needed for the future. Alex Winship, Specials Product Design Manager, said the Bazalgette Embankment globes combine two light sources, discreet CMS integration and an adjustable mount to preserve their familiar glow with modern performance. Both schemes reflect DW Windsor’s wider contribution to the Thames Tideway project, supplying heritage and contemporary lighting across multiple locations.

September 2026

29/08/2026 09:36:39

18 LIGHTING | RECOLIGHT

Circular Lighting Live 2026: The conversation the industry cannot postpone

or most of the last decade, the lighting sector’s sustainability story has been about efficiency: fewer watts, longer lamp life, smarter controls. That story is no longer enough. Clients are asking searching questions about sustainability metrics, how to retain existing luminaires in an upgrade, and how to minimise embodied carbon. The industry now has to answer for the whole life of a product, not just the electricity it uses while switched on. That shift is the reason Circular Lighting Live exists, and it is why this year’s conference, taking place on 8 October at the Minster Building in London, matters more than ever before. Organised by Recolight and now in its fifth year, the one-day conference and exhibition has become the pivot point in the calendar where lighting designers and clients consider what a genuinely circular lighting industry would actually look like, and what they can do to get there.

Setting the Agenda The day’s themes follow directly from those pressures. The keynote, Vision 2040: Restructuring the Lighting Sector, sets the tone: John McRae, director of Orms, asks what happens once the take-make-use-waste model is broken, and whether inventory might one day live in ceilings rather than warehouses. In a second keynote, Beyond Fast Lighting, Berlin based lighting consultant Sabine De Schutter makes the case for upcycling not as a limitation, but as a genuine lighting design strategy in its own right.

Why the Industry Needs This Now Two pressures are converging at pace. The first is regulatory: A wave of circular economy legislation is heading towards 2030, with repairability and upgradeability clauses that will touch manufacturers, specifiers and end users alike. Environmental Product Declarations are also moving from a marketing nicety to a routine requirement across major construction frameworks and will sit at the centre of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard. The second pressure is carbon. As the grid progressively decarbonises, the embodied carbon in manufacturing a luminaire becomes proportionally more significant; material choice, product design, and production location, not just efficiency, are where the next real gains sit. Neither of these forces is going away, and the conference will set out next steps for lighting manufacturers.

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fittings at Leadenhall Market, sit alongside a practical carbon literacy session and a dedicated look at cutting waste from Cat A fit-outs, still one of the commercial property sector’s most persistent sources of discarded luminaires. The Build Back Better Awards 2026 will also be presented on the day, recognising the projects and people driving that change.

What Delegates Will Take Away The value of Circular Lighting Live lies not just in any single session but also in the breadth and scale of the day. Specifiers hear directly from manufacturers on what is achievable now; manufacturers hear what clients and designers will actually be asking for by 2030. Everyone leaves with a clearer, shared sense of where the legislative and commercial pressure is heading, rather than a fragmented picture assembled from separate events. Delegates come away not with another energy efficiency target, but with a working understanding of how to specify, design, and buy for a more sustainable future.

Attending From there, six sessions unpack what that future demands in practice. Data and compliance takes on the detail of EPDs and the coming regulatory landscape; innovation and materials looks at how embodied carbon is reshaping product design, including the growing role of AI-driven tools; and a session on the keystone role of lighting designers examines how specification habits are already shifting in response to client expectation and regulation. Real-world projects, including the sensitive remanufacture of the historic

Circular Lighting Live is aimed at the whole lighting supply chain including specifiers, designers, architects, consulting engineers, wholesalers, end users, manufacturers, remanufacturers, distributors and contractors. Attendance is free for lighting specifiers, funded by the event’s sponsors; manufacturers pay the standard ticket price, with discounts available to Recolight WEEE Compliance Scheme members. Full details of the programme, speakers and booking are available at www.circularlighting.live. The conference is sponsored by Light Projects Evolve, Albis, Fagerhult, Thorlux Lighting, and WAGO.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:38:22

FORUM LIGHTING | LIGHTING 19

Beating the British heatwave: a two-in-one lighting and fan fix for installers

ith UK summers running hotter and homeowners increasingly asking how to keep their homes comfortable without a full air conditioning install, Forum Lighting Solutions has expanded its decorative lighting collection with a new range of LED ceiling lights with integrated fans. Forum’s ceiling lights offer one fitting that delivers both lighting and cooling, wired once and controlled entirely by remote. As demand grows for practical ways to beat the heat, electricians are increasingly fielding client requests for something more effective than a standing fan, but less disruptive than air conditioning. The new range gives installers a straightforward answer: a single ceiling fitting that lights the room and moves the air, with no separate fan circuit or extra switch wiring required. Steve Kaye, Marketing Director at Forum; “We are excited by this range. These ceiling lights with fans will give year-round comfort to homeowners without the hassle and expense of fitting an aircon unit. And for installers, it’s just one job and one fitting...everyone’s a winner.” The range spans three designs - Ingram, Lyona and Trinity - each available in a choice of finishes including black, satin nickel, chrome and warm brass. Every fitting combines the light and fan motor in one unit, connecting to a standard ceiling rose in the

•

same way as a conventional pendant or flush fitting. The remote handles everything from first fix onward, keeping the job to one cable run and one set of fitting instructions per product. Key specification highlights across the range include: • Reversible six-speed fan motor - forward airflow for cooling on hot days, reverse for winter use circulating warm air back down from the ceiling

Remote-controlled operation for fan speed, light output and colour temperature. No wall controller required • Switchable colour temperature (3000K / 4000K / 6000K) to suit warm, neutral or cool white lighting from a single fitting • Three-level dimming for the LED light source. • Built-in 2 or 4-hour timer, useful for cooling a room down before bed without running all night. For electricians, a fan and light combined into one factory-wired unit means less first-fix planning and no need to co-ordinate a separate fan isolator circuit - just a tidier ceiling rose with a single point of connection. As more homeowners ask about beating the heat on a budget, this range gives installers a quick, quotable upgrade: swap a standard pendant for a fan light during a rewire, refit or bedroom upgrade, and the client gets cooling and lighting from the same point on the ceiling. It’s a natural fit for bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and conservatories - rooms that heat up fastest in summer and where clients are most likely to ask for a fan alongside their lighting. Full technical spec sheets and fitting instructions for each product are available on the Forum Lighting Solutions website, alongside the usual trade datasheets electricians expect for job packs and building control sign-off.

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19_ET-Sep_Lighting-Forum.indd 19

September 2026

29/08/2026 09:40:26

20 LIGHTING | ANSELL LIGHTING

Lighting in the wild When it comes to outdoor lighting installations energy efficiency and responsiveness are key. Customers want greater control, optimum energy use and the flexibility to tailor lighting to changing needs and requirements. In this article we speak to Nick Gwilliam, Lighting Designer at Ansell lighting to find out more about the energy efficient outdoor lighting technologies available and the benefits they offer.

ften in operation for long periods of time, outdoor lighting can be a large source of energy use and expenditure. Outdoor illumination is essential after dark to heighten safety, security and the usability of external spaces but it must also be designed to ensure energy consumption is kept to an absolute minimum. To achieve this, installers should look to the latest control technologies, ensuring they are integrated into installations. Smart technology is the gold standard. It works by connecting individual luminaires together to create a network of lamps that can be centrally controlled and automated. Everything from timings of operation, colour temperature, colour and brightness

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can be pre-set to individual requirements ensuring that only the exact amount of energy required is being used at any given time. Outdoor smart lighting is also incredibly easy to set up and configure as it is operated wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with systems controlled and hosted on the cloud, so there is no hub or additional wiring required. Installers will just need to double check that WIFI coverage extends across all external areas though and if not, install a WIFI extender too. Smart lighting systems can be controlled via remote control, apps, voice or ecosystems such as Hey Google or Amazon Alexa and are incredibly easy to operate. They also provide real benefits when it comes to measuring and monitoring energy use. Controls such as dashboard monitors can be used alongside the technology to provide a visual display of a building’s lighting system in real time and can be used to monitor usage and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary wastage. Another technology that offers greater control and optimises energy use are occupancy sensors. Whether using microwave or PIR technology, sensors are a great option in outdoor installations where lighting is only required when people are present. PIR sensors work using infra-red technology, triggering illumination when changes in radiation levels (usually caused by objects such as people and animals) are detected in a space. Microwave sensors on the other hand

use microwave signals to detect motion, triggering illumination when presence is detected and shutting off again when stillness resumes. Another technology that must be considered when approaching outdoor lighting schemes is solar power. Today’s solar technology has come a long way and is capable of delivering strong, reliable and high quality illumination. Improvements in photovoltaic panels, advances in LED technology and improved battery storage capabilities, mean modern solar lights perform exceptionally well, even in the UK’s less predictable climate. An added bonus is that solar lighting is free to operate once installed and doesn’t add to ongoing building running costs. It is also easy to install with no need for disruptive outdoor cabling or electrical wiring work. Luminaires are simply placed into position and secured in place which is ideal in spaces such as gardens, and pathways where access to power may be limited. Installations that combine all three technologies will undoubtedly deliver the highest levels of energy efficiency, control and long-term performance. Smart controls, occupancy sensors and solar lighting each have an important role to play, but when used together they create intelligent outdoor lighting schemes that minimise energy consumption, reduce running costs and provide the right light, at the right time, exactly where it is needed.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:41:24

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28/08/2026 17:56:52

22 LIGHTING | REPENIC

You may have noticed this problem with Smart Switch As smart lighting becomes more connected, the industry must avoid making everyday control more complicated. Repenic believes the most successful smart products add connected capability to familiar interactions rather than asking users to abandon them. Smart does not always mean more intuitive Smart lighting has moved far beyond simple on/off control. Today’s systems can support app control, automation, scheduling, scenes, remote access and voice commands. These capabilities can make a home more efficient and responsive, but more technology does not automatically create a better experience. When someone enters a room, the most natural action is still to reach for the wall switch. It is immediate, visible and understood without instruction. As lighting becomes more sophisticated, that basic moment should remain simple. The question is not how to replace familiar control, but how to add intelligence to it.

What smart bulbs have revealed Smart bulbs made connected lighting accessible, but they also exposed the weakness of a replacement-first approach. A smart bulb needs to stay powered to receive commands and remain connected, while a conventional wall switch is designed to cut that power. The result is a familiar problem. Someone walks into a room, reaches for the switch out of habit, and the automation behind the light stops working. At other times, a phone may be in another room, an app may take too long to open, or a voice command may simply be impractical. In those moments, people naturally reach for the wall control they have always used. None of this reflects a fault in connected lighting itself. It reflects a system that expects people to change a habit that has never needed changing. The opportunity for the industry is not to remove the switch from the experience, but to ensure it works with the technology around it.

Why physical controls still matter Physical wall controls offer a level of speed, certainty and accessibility that digital interfaces cannot always replicate. For basic operation, they require no phone,

app or network connection. A mechanical rocker or toggle also provides immediate, tactile confirmation that a command has been made. That matters most in family homes and shared spaces, where visitors, children, older residents and less technically confident users all need lighting to work exactly as expected. A guest should not need to download an app to turn on a light, and a homeowner should not have to explain which controls must remain powered for automation to continue. Smart homes should not be designed only for technology enthusiasts; they need to work for everyone who uses them. An addition-first approach builds on this rather than working around it. The physical switch remains available for immediate control, while connected technology adds scheduling, remote access, energy monitoring and automation behind it. These functions do not compete for the same moment; they simply serve different people and different needs through the same product.

Smart products should belong in the home Function is only part of the experience. Switches, sockets and dimmers are among the most visible and frequently touched details in a home, so they need to work visually as well as technically. Smart should not automatically mean white plastic or a glowing touch panel that looks disconnected from the rest of the interior. Materials, proportions and tactile feedback all influence how a product is perceived, and for design-conscious homeowners and specifiers, a control should feel like an intentional part of the scheme rather than an afterthought.

presented in a single-piece, screwless metal faceplate in stainless steel or brushed solid brass rather than moulded white plastic. It also works with conventional two-way and intermediate switching, so existing multi-way circuits do not need to be redesigned around it. In compatible smart-bulb applications, it sends control commands without cutting power to the bulb, allowing app control, dimming and automation to remain available without the wall switch working against them. “We didn’t want people to relearn how to turn on a light,” says Liam Cater, Product Manager at Repenic. “The intelligence had to be added behind the switch, not instead of it.” The wider Repenic range extends the same principle to Smart Rocker Switches, Smart Dimmers and Smart Sockets, with coordinated metal faceplates for residential, refurbishment and professional projects.

A more natural future for the smart home The pace of innovation in smart lighting shows no sign of slowing, but the principle behind its success reaches far beyond lighting alone. Across the smart home, the systems most likely to become part of everyday life will be those that make familiar habits more capable rather than asking people to abandon them. Whether controlling lighting, power, heating or security, connected technology should work quietly in the background, adding flexibility, automation and insight when useful while keeping everyday actions simple, visible and reliable. The goal is not to make homes feel more technical, but to make them work better for the people living in them.

Repenic’s addition-not-replacement approach Repenic’s Smart Toggle Switch puts this thinking into practice. It retains the mechanical movement, tactile certainty and audible click of a conventional toggle,

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For more information, scan the QR code visit https://www.repenic.com/ pages/smart-home/?ref=ET

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:42:20

LIGHTING | COLLINGWOOD LIGHTING 23

LED Strip as Main Lighting Modern LED strip lighting has moved from under the shelf to also be a great choice for clean, glare free primary lighting in a room. Technical manager for Collingwood Lighting Lee Brodie explains what you need to know.

or primary lighting LED strip lighting is hidden from view and throws its light onto the ceiling or walls to reflect it into the room. This spreads the light to provide an even illumination without any glare. Such diffuse light makes it an excellent choice for rooms where people want to relax. It is clean and subtle to give a clean minimalist look for a smooth finish with no holes in the ceiling. It’s also very practical if you are faced with a concrete ceiling or for heritage or high-end finishes that need protecting.

Illumination levels The exact output needed will vary according to how people use a space. A task orientated room like a kitchen will need more light than a living room or bedroom. But whatever room it is, you will need to install LED strip that has a much greater lumens output than what you would use for accent lighting.

You also need to factor in the colour of the ceiling, a white or light colour is best for reflectance; and its height, the higher the ceiling the more powerful the LED strip that you will need. You can work out what illuminance you need based on the lux level required and the size of the room. Multiply these together and you get a total lumen output but remember that the light reflects off the ceiling and/or wall to create that soft diffused light that your customer wants, so you need to allow for some loss.

Specifying the right LED strip If LED strip is the only primary lighting in a room, then you should not go below a rating of 8W/m. But check how many lumens per Watt it produces over a metre - the higher the number the more energy efficient the LED strip is. And if the length of LED strip is longer than 5 metres then make sure that you use a current regulated option. For ambient lighting we recommend something between 8-11W/m such as our 48092 strips rated at 11W/m which will produce 1620 lumens or more per metre. But, if your customer needs brighter general lighting or if they have a higher ceiling you need to specify a higher output of 1900 lumens or greater per metre. There are also lots of different types of LED strip lighting. For primary lighting you would normally specify flexible tape. There are two versions. A constant voltage strip is fine for lengths of up to 5 metres. But for ambient or general lighting we would recommend specifying current regulated strip. This is a higher quality option with CRI 90 chips and is great for runs of up to 20 metres.

Choosing the right profile You also need to choose the right profile to leave your customer with a clean and flat surface.

A recessed profile will blend seamlessly into the ceiling or wall to create a flat surface, or you can use a surface mount in the ceiling void. Other options include a plaster in profile which you can fix in place before a ceiling is plastered, and for retrofits a cove pack offers a simple solution.

Drivers and accessories LED lighting needs a driver to change the alternating current from the mains to a low voltage direct current of 24V and to smooth out any power surges. The driver you need will depend on the output of the LED strip lighting and whether your customer wants dimming. The LED strip lighting manufacturer should be able to advise. Think about where you will put the driver. It should be out of sight but accessible in case it needs maintenance or replacing. It might fit within the ceiling void, or perhaps on top of a cabinet? You will also need LED strip connectors to go round corners and awkward angles, to end a strip and connect the strip to a power supply. LED strip lighting is simple to install and offers a glare free understated solution that customers’ love. It is a popular choice for modern interiors, so make sure that you profit from this trend.

@ElectricalTimes | www.electricaltimes.co.uk

23_ET-Sep_Lighting_Collingwood.indd 23

September 2026

29/08/2026 09:43:20

24 LIGHTING | B.E.G.

B.E.G. targets flexible spaces with new DALI lighting control system New DACO PRO system allows lighting zones to work independently as a standalone DALI addressable system

NEW DALI lighting control system from B.E.G. is being launched to the UK market, providing solutions for open plan spaces, individual rooms, corridors, staircases for the control of DALI luminaires without the requirement of a centralised panel. The German manufacturer is launching DACO PRO which uses multicast technology to allow multiple lighting groups to operate from a single DALI line. Individual zones can be controlled separately when a space is divided, then synchronised when partitions are removed. The approach is aimed particularly at environments such as classrooms, sports halls and multi-purpose spaces, staircases and corridors, offering simplified installation, app-based programming and partition switching. B.E.G., which has been developing lighting and building control technology since 1975, says the system has been developed around the practical requirements of modern building use. Dan Glynn, UK Sales Director for UK & Ireland at B.E.G., said: “The opportunity with this product is simplified and reduced installation time, with no central hub required. End clients can be trained by B.E.G. to make changes to system and reduce their maintenance costs. “An educational building is a good example where the key features can address value. Commercial and residential buildings can reduce their energy with the options to maintain the lighting in house, with no ongoing commissioning costs.

“With DACO PRO, the different lighting groups can respond to occupancy and daylight independently. This means lighting can be matched to the part of the building actually being used, rather than automatically treating the whole area as a single zone.” The multicast approach also means multiple control loops can be established using one DALI line. B.E.G. says this can reduce the requirement for additional cabling to central panels and backbone requirements. Glynn said the system was developed with the practical requirements of installation and commissioning in mind, with flexibility. “We wanted to make the control architecture more flexible without making the installation more complicated,” he said. “Using one DALI line for multiple control loops means you can achieve different lighting arrangements without having to build a

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separate control system around every room. “The ability to alter the configuration is particularly relevant where the original use of a space is likely to change. Rather than installing a fixed lighting-control arrangement based solely on the initial building layout, the control groups can be adjusted to reflect how the space is subsequently used.” The DACO PRO system can be configured using a smartphone app, while an infrared device allows DALI devices to be addressed and grouped during commissioning. Glenn said: “Commissioning time matters to contractors. If a system can be set up and adjusted quickly on site, that makes a real difference, particularly on projects where there are multiple rooms or zones to deal with. “The app-based configuration also means that changes do not necessarily require complex programming. Sensors, control groups and functions can be arranged and adjusted as required, giving installers a way of making changes during commissioning or later in the building’s operation.” DACO PRO can incorporate DALI push-button modules, while four integrated push-button inputs provide additional options for local control. The system can also accommodate changes after installation. B.E.G. says luminaires can be replaced without affecting the existing configuration, while additional sensors, DALI push-buttons and relay controls can be incorporated where required. “That is important because the job doesn’t finish when the lights are switched on for the first time,” said Glynn. “Buildings change, rooms change and equipment eventually needs replacing. The control system needs to cope with that without creating unnecessary work.” DACO PRO incorporates daylight and presence-based control, allowing lighting levels to respond to conditions within the space. It also supports Human Centric Lighting (HCL), dim back levels and guided light functions. HCL can be used to adjust lighting in line with the natural progression of the day, while orientation

lighting provides a low level of illumination when the main lighting is reduced. This can be useful in spaces where users still need to move around safely without requiring full lighting levels. For education projects, the ability to alter lighting control according to how a room is being used could be particularly relevant. “A school can have classrooms, sports facilities, assembly areas and halls all being used in completely different ways,” said Glynn. “You don’t want the lighting strategy for one space dictating what happens in another. “The point is to give each area the control it needs while still being able to bring those areas together when the building requires it. The same principle applies to sports and community facilities, where a single large space may be divided into smaller areas for different activities before being returned to its original configuration.” B.E.G. says the system is designed to provide contractors and building operators with a way of adapting lighting control as requirements change, without adding unnecessary infrastructure to the original installation. Glynn added: “For us, intelligent control is only useful if it solves a practical problem. The technology has to make the installation easier to configure and the building easier to operate. That’s the real test.” Glynn said the ability to adapt should increasingly be considered when lighting control systems are specified. “If you look at how buildings are actually being used, flexibility and energy reduction is becoming much more relevant,” he said. “The control system needs to give the electrical contractor enough scope to deal with that flexibility without making the installation unnecessarily complicated.” “With DACO PRO, the idea is that you have the control architecture in place to deal with those changes from the outset, rather than having to come back and redesign the system every time the building’s use changes.” www.beg-luxomat.com

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:44:17

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26 VIEWPOINT | KEWTECH

Understanding Earth Leakage: Why Testing Matters More Than Ever Earth leakage testing has become an increasingly critical part of modern electrical verification and maintenance, particularly as installations age and the cumulative effects of leakage currents become more pronounced

ith the widespread use of RCDs and RCBOs providing life-saving protection, understanding, identifying, and managing earth leakage is essential to ensure both safety and reliability.

What is Earth Leakage? Earth leakage refers to the unintended flow of electrical current from a circuit to earth. This can occur due to insulation breakdown, damaged conductors, moisture ingress, or faulty equipment. Even in healthy installations, small amounts of leakage are inevitable due to the design of modern electrical equipment. However, while these currents are typically harmless in isolation, their cumulative effect across multiple circuits can create significant issues.

RCBOs and Nuisance Tripping RCBOs and RCDs are designed to detect imbalances between live and neutral conductors and disconnect the supply rapidly, often within milliseconds, when leakage exceeds a set threshold, typically 30mA in domestic settings. This function is crucial in preventing electric shock and reducing the risk of fire. However, these are not selective devices; they respond to total leakage on the circuits they protect. As a result, they can be susceptible to “nuisance tripping” when leakage currents approach their operating threshold without an actual fault being present.

An increasing challenge with modern installations This challenge is becoming more common due to two key factors: ageing circuits and the rise of modern electronic loads. Over time, cable insulation degrades, becoming brittle, cracked, or moisture-affected, all of which create pathways for leakage current. These faults are often hidden within walls or under floors, making them difficult to detect without proper testing. In parallel, modern installations now include devices such as LED drivers, EV chargers, electric showers, air-conditioning, and switch-mode power supplies, all of which contribute small but continuous leakage currents. Individually, these leakage currents may only amount to a few milliamps, but when combined across several circuits, particularly on split-load consumer units, they can approach or exceed the protective device’s trip threshold.

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Cumulative leakage from cable capacitance, appliances, and transient events can easily reach 10–18 mA on a 30mA RCBO or RCD, leaving very little headroom before unwanted tripping occurs. This is especially problematic in older installations where insulation resistance has already declined.

The dangers The danger here is twofold. Firstly, nuisance tripping can lead to inconvenience, loss of power, and potential damage to equipment. More critically, it may mask genuine faults or lead to complacency, where users repeatedly reset protective devices without investigating the underlying issue. Secondly, ageing or inappropriate RCDs and RCBOs may fail to operate correctly under certain conditions, either tripping too easily or, more concerningly, failing to trip when required.

leakage is unavoidable, and the goal is to manage it rather than eliminate it entirely. Furthermore, with the vast array of tripping characteristics and types of RCB/RCBO now recommended for various applications; appropriate selection is critical and ‘nuisance tripping’ can be a factor, which is why proper measurements should be taken prior to selection.

The solution This is where effective earth leakage testing becomes invaluable. Using an earth leakage clamp meter, such as the KEWTECH KEW2434 or KEW2433R, allows you to measure leakage currents quickly and non-intrusively. This can be achieved by measuring the leakage on the earthing conductors, or by measuring the unbalanced load on the live and neutral conductors simultaneously. This enables the identification of circuits with elevated leakage without the need to disconnect conductors or disrupt the installation. Testing with a clamp meter provides several advantages. It allows for the assessment of total leakage at the origin, followed by the isolation of individual circuits to pinpoint contributors. It also helps differentiate between acceptable “background” leakage and abnormal levels indicating faults. This is particularly important in modern installations where some

The takeaway As electrical systems continue to age and the number of leakage-producing devices increases, proactive earth leakage testing is no longer optional but is essential. RCDs/RCBOs remain a cornerstone of electrical safety, but their effectiveness depends on the condition of the installation and the level of leakage present. By incorporating tools such as an earth leakage clamp meter into routine testing, electricians can identify issues early, reduce nuisance tripping, and ensure that protective devices operate as intended, ultimately safeguarding both property and lives. kewtechcorp.com

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

28/08/2026 17:58:58

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28 VIEWPOINT | CHECKER

Ten weeks a year isn’t the cost of the trade. It’s a design fault. A gas engineer turned software builder on why losing ten working weeks a year to paperwork was never inevitable, and why electricians should stop treating it as the weather. Daniel Sedgwick is the founder of Checker. He spent years working as a gas engineer before moving into building software for trades businesses in 2012, and has been doing it ever since. checker.app

t’s gone eight on a Tuesday and the van is still ticking as it cools on the drive. Kettle’s on. The kids are supposed to be asleep and mostly are. The kitchen table has three piles: a quote I never chased, an invoice from ten days ago that hasn’t been paid, and paperwork I need to finish before I forget the job. I was a gas engineer, not an electrician, so I will not pretend to know your BS 7671 codes better than you do. But I know that table. Every trade has a version of it, and most of us have sat there long after the working day ended. I moved from the tools into building software for tradespeople because I got tired of that table. I realised the paperwork was never optional. It felt optional because nobody paid us for it. So we did it last, tired, when we were least equipped to do it well. Electrical Times recently reported on research that put a number on this feeling. HeyBRB’s UK Admin Drain Report, based on responses from 167 business owners across trades, property and accounting, found people losing around eight hours a week to repetitive admin. That adds up to roughly 384 hours a year, or ten working weeks. Trades were a minority of the sample, so I would not hang the whole argument on the precision of that figure. But its shape matches years of what I saw in vans and kitchens. So does another finding: 83 per cent of those surveyed had never worked out what their admin time was costing them. For electricians, there is another layer. Under Building Regulations Part P, notifiable electrical work has to be certified. The Electrical Installation Certificate is not a nuisance form. It is a safety record confirming that the work was designed, inspected and tested in line with BS 7671. You cannot scribble that on the back of a fag packet at nine at night and trust it. That is the uncomfortable part of the ten-weeks story. Electricians are expected to produce legally meaningful records under the conditions least likely to produce good ones: tired, at home, after the paid part of the day has finished. I do not think the answer is simply a piece of software, and I am suspicious of anyone in my industry who tells you it is. The deeper problem is that we decided admin does not count as real work. We quote for the job, not the estimate. We price the wiring, not the report. We treat the invoice as a formality to bang out once the proper work is done, even though it is the document most directly responsible for whether we get paid.

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Every incentive in a small electrical firm points towards the tools on the belt and away from the desk, right up until the desk work fails badly enough to cost money. Then it becomes urgent for a week. After that, it goes back to the kitchen table because there was never a better time built into the day for it. Ten working weeks is not a natural tax on running an electrical business. It is not weather. It is the result of treating certification, invoicing and payment chasing as afterthoughts, done in borrowed time by someone who has already given the best hours of the day to something else. Bigger firms do not have less admin. They have people whose job is the admin, paid and scheduled like everyone else. A sole trader or a small firm rarely has that luxury, which is exactly why pushing everything into the evening became normal, and why normal was quietly mistaken for inevitable. I still think about that kitchen table. What changed for me was not one tool. It was deciding that the invoice and the report were part of the job, not the

leftovers of it, and making space for them while I was still sharp. I cannot promise that gives every electrician ten weeks back. But accepting unpaid evening admin as the cost of the trade is a choice we made without noticing. It is worth noticing now.

Sources 1.

1. Electrical Times, “UK tradespeople losing ten working weeks a year to admin they could automate, survey finds” (23 March 2026): https:// www.electricaltimes.co.uk/uk-tradespeople-losingten-working-weeks-a-year-to-admin-they-couldautomate-survey-finds/ 2. HeyBRB, “UK Admin Drain Report 2026” (167 UK owner-operators; 8 hours/week, 384 hours/year, ten working weeks; 83% never calculated the cost): https://heybrb.ai/research/ uk-admin-drain-report-2026 3. GOV.UK Approved Document P (Electrical Safety) and Planning Portal Part P guidance: notification requirement and BS 7671 as the referenced standard for notifiable electrical work.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:45:24

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30 LETTER FROM | EUROPE

The wire that changed everything – and the week that proved it Stuart Hanlon, UK Representative, velbus.eu | MDAR Ltd. Stuart is the UK representative for a European digital building control manufacturer, operating through MDAR Ltd. He began his career in 1988 as a cinema projectionist, moving through theatre and live event controls before pivoting into digital building control in 2012, and has since overseen hundreds of installations and trained over two thousand people in digital wiring.

have been working in control systems since 1988, starting as a cinema projectionist — a world with no margin for failure. From there I moved into theatre controls, then digital controls for large corporate events, then in 2012 into digital building control, championing the hardwired CANbus approach ever since. In fifteen years I have overseen hundreds of installations, managed events across multiple venues simultaneously, and trained over two thousand people in digital wiring — country houses, city apartments, hotels, marine applications, temporary structures installed and struck in under forty-eight hours. I believed in the approach before the wider industry did. In many respects, I still do. But last week, for the first time, I saw the full spectrum of what that gap looks like in practice — and it shook me, then heartened me, in equal measure.

The week that shouldn’t have been The first site was a rural European property I had been remotely supporting for months, coaching the client while their electrician did the physical work. From the start I had been clear: run clean radials to local distribution points, keep the logic simple. I offered training, drawings, a full system design — all declined. By the time I arrived, the installer had stopped engaging with the brief and was telling the client this kind of wiring would “never be adopted.” Too complicated. Not worth learning. What I found was a mess: a labyrinth of junction boxes at both ends of every circuit, wrong cable types hacked together, crammed into undersized enclosures, unlabelled, incorrectly sleeved. A system that should have been logical and testable had been made deliberately difficult by someone who’d decided it wasn’t worth understanding. The detail that stays with me: at every junction box there was ample space for a small distribution cabinet with the control module inside — some of the boxes he’d fitted were physically larger than the cabinet I’d have recommended. He had gone out of his way to choose the harder path. What should have been a three-day visit became a full week. The client came close to abandoning the project.

Why the car industry figured this out in 1992 The principles behind hardwired digital building control are not new. They are automotive. In 1992, every vehicle manufacturer adopted a shared digital protocol for vehicle wiring — the same CANbus architecture that underpins the systems I install today. Before that, every new feature meant new wiring: more weight, complexity, failure points. The industry decided instead on one bus, shared by every system, modules

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communicating digitally rather than through dedicated runs. Vehicles became more capable and simpler to build, and every manufacturer adopted it. The logic for buildings is identical: every load a radial back to a local distribution point, control logic in software rather than the cable, one data connection carrying communication between every device. Simple to test, expand, and hand to the next electrician through the door. This is proven thinking, applied to a different chassis — and yet I spent a week untangling an installer who’d decided, without engaging with the principles, it wasn’t worth understanding.

The two hours that restored my faith Heading back from Europe, I drove to a site in Cambridge, where a client who had lived with a hardwired system for five years had added a garden cabin. His sixteen-year-old son had suggested that, since an armoured mains cable was being pulled to the cabin anyway, they pull a data cable alongside it and link the cabin to the house system. The electrician on site was twenty-six and had never installed this type of system. We arrived together. Two hours later, the cabin was fully wired, commissioned, and operational. Unprompted, he’d fitted a slightly oversized cabinet for the control module, just because it seemed like good practice, and run clean radials with a single data cable to the panel. One small data cable to the switch position, he said, beat the four switch drops conventional wiring would have needed. I used the commissioning as a training session. We brought the cabin live in isolation, confirmed every

circuit, then made the data connection — three conductors between the buildings — and rescanned. Every device in the house was now accessible from the cabin and vice versa: lighting, heating, garden circuits, all controllable across one cable already in the conduit. He looked at it, then said: “So over this one cable I can control everything? If this has been possible since before I was born, why wasn’t I taught this in college?” I didn’t have a satisfying answer. What I had was relief that someone a generation younger than me had seen it immediately, embraced it, and asked the right question unprompted.

What those two sites tell me I have been saying for fifteen years that the barrier to this technology is not technical but behavioural — the willingness, or refusal, to engage with something unfamiliar. The European installer was not incapable. He was unwilling — a distinction that matters, since incapability can be addressed with training, and unwillingness only with consequences. The Cambridge electrician was not exceptional. He was open — and openness is all this system requires: two hours, a twenty-six-year-old who’d never seen it, a working installation. The technology has been ready for decades — automotive proved it in 1992; building has simply been slow to catch up. Watching a young electrician reach that conclusion in an afternoon, unprompted, tells me the arrival is closer than ever. When the next generation starts asking why they weren’t taught this in college, that is not a complaint. That is the beginning of change.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:46:57

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34 SOFTWARE & APPS | PROPELLER

Doing more with less: the critical role of software Dave Carr, Managing Director of Propeller, explains how software is addressing the rising regulatory and workforce pressures facing electrical contractors

ighter regulation, stretched workforces and rising client expectations are forcing electrical contractors to do more with less. For many, the systems in place to manage those pressures are no longer up to the job. Relying on manual processes or outdated IT systems to manage engineers and compliance work can not only swallow significant time and resources but stall organisational growth.

The regulatory squeeze Evolving regulation is creating some of the industry’s biggest challenges. In the private sector, the Renters’ Rights Act is introducing a landlord database, meaning gaps in Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) compliance are more likely to be identified and acted upon. In social housing, the shift has been more fundamental, with legislation changing significantly in the last three years alone. Most recently, this includes the need to inspect electrical systems every five years and ensure tenants receive an EICR within 28 days of inspection or before moving in. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act, Awaab’s Law and Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) are also driving greater responsiveness, transparency and tenant engagement. For contractors managing compliance across hundreds of properties, the cumulative effect is substantial. Responding to these changes can add extra time and administration to workloads, increasing the need for efficiency and tighter compliance control. Effective workforce management is key to addressing this challenge, ensuring engineers are scheduled, prepared, and tracked effectively - but many systems are not built for this. Spreadsheets and manual monitoring make it difficult to stay on top of inspections, compliance status and engineer performance. Poor scheduling means engineers may arrive unprepared, risking delays and repeat visits. Missed appointments add to operational and compliance demands. A no-access visit creates extra administration and increases the risk of missing deadlines for EICRs, which can show up negatively in TSM scores.

How software can help In such a challenging operating environment, cloud-based job management software has a critical role to play. Features include intelligent scheduling, which enables thousands of planned maintenance appointments to be booked in bulk up to three months in advance within seconds. The technology continuously analyses the workforce to optimise workloads, allocating jobs based on skillsets, travel

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teams work from the same figures, making it easier to spot tasks that routinely overrun, materials that are overused, or contracts where agreed rates no longer reflect the real cost of delivery. time and job duration. Compared to conventional methods, this can reduce operational costs by up to 40 per cent and cut travel costs by up to 25 per cent. For reactive maintenance, an integrated scheduling window gives support teams an instant view of available slots without the need to manually check diaries. Complex jobs requiring multiple trades can be scheduled automatically too. To improve site efficiency, a mobile app enables engineers to access key information for each property, such as photographs of appliances, certifications, and details of previous repairs. EICRs can be validated on site, documentation updated in real time, and materials and costings logged immediately, reducing the risk of incomplete paperwork and unnecessary return visits. Data captured in the field is consolidated into a central analytics dashboard, providing real-time visibility across key metrics including compliance status, engineer performance, no-access reasons, and customer satisfaction scores. Job costings, including time, travel, labour and material costs, can also be linked automatically to finance software such as Xero. Rather than re-entering data across separate systems, finance and operations

Streamlining compliance In response to compliance challenges, software is evolving rapidly. Integrated postal functionality now enables EICRs to be bulk mailed directly from a job management platform with full delivery tracking, creating a clear audit trail and removing reliance on external mailing houses. Looking ahead, an AI-powered feature currently in development could significantly reduce the time involved in completing EICRs. Instead of engineers having to manually record every detail from the consumer unit, the new tool will use an app to automatically populate key information into the certificate. Early prototypes suggest a saving of around 20 minutes per certificate.

The bottom line Cloud-based software can’t solve every challenge, but it can give contractors the time, visibility and control they need to operate more effectively in a demanding environment. Meeting evolving regulatory and workforce demands then becomes the foundation for growth, rather than the barrier holding it back. propellerpowered.co.uk

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:48:13

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36 SOFTWARE & APPS | ONETRACE

The paperwork gap that’s costing electrical firms billable hours For electrical subcontractors, proving compliance isn’t a paperwork chore that sits behind the real work. It’s increasingly the thing that decides who gets the next contract, who gets paid on time, and who a Tier 1 main contractor trusts with bigger jobs

sk most electrical firms how they’d answer a client who wants evidence of a specific install—what was done, when, by whom, to what standard— and the honest answer is: it depends how far back you’re asking. Recent work, an easier problem. A query from a few months ago, and you’re into paper records, scattered photos, and site diaries, trying to piece together a record that should have been there all along. That gap isn’t really about compliance failing. The work itself is usually sound. It’s that the evidence behind it lives in too many places to produce quickly when someone asks for it. That’s the exact problem Onetrace solves. Onetrace is a platform that lets electrical subcontractors capture compliance evidence—photos, forms, sign-offs—directly from site in real time, tied to the specific job and location. Instead of piecing a record together after the fact, it’s already organised and ready to produce the moment someone asks for it.

The hidden cost of no single source of truth Every hour spent chasing down evidence, reassembling records, or reformatting a report for a client is an hour not billed. Multiply that across a team and a year of jobs, and admin stops being background noise—it’s a real cost sitting quietly on the books. It shows up in cash flow too. A handover that’s held up by missing or scattered paperwork is a handover that’s held up, full stop. Invoices wait behind sign-off. Sign-off waits behind someone finding the right photo or the right test result. None of that is billable time, and none of it needs to happen if the record exists in the right shape from the start. And it shows up in how bigger clients see you. Tier 1 main contractors are asking sharper questions than they used to, and increasingly they’re judging subcontractors on how professional the paperwork looks, not just the install. A scrappy handover pack—photos with no context, a folder full of loose files—reads as a risk, even when the underlying work is excellent. A clean, branded, well-organised record reads as a firm worth trusting with more.

•

Real-time status tracking, so a supervisor can see at a glance what’s done, what’s outstanding, and what’s waiting on sign-off. None of this changes the standard of work an electrical team delivers. It changes how fast and how convincingly that standard can be proved—to a client, to building control, or to a Tier 1 contractor deciding who to award the next package to.

Built for the job, not for reconstructing it afterward Here’s what Onetrace looks like day-to-day: • Evidence—photos, forms, checklists—captured on site in real time and pinned to the right location, rather than typed up later from memory. • Forms built around mandatory fields, so a job can’t be marked complete • One-click branded PDF or Excel reports, ready to hand a client or main contractor without hours spent formatting one.

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The record that wins you the next job Less time spent chasing paperwork means more billable hours in the week. Faster, complete handovers mean invoices go out sooner instead of waiting behind admin that should have been done already. And a consistently professional record—the same standard, every job, every client—is what turns a one-off contract with a bigger main contractor into a repeat one.

Put simply: the firms that can prove their work fastest are usually the ones that get asked back. Compliance stops being a cost centre and starts working in your favour—less admin, quicker payment, and a reputation with Tier 1 contractors that helps you win the next job, not just finish this one. For electrical subcontractors working across highcompliance environments, that shift is the difference between chasing paperwork and letting it work for you. To see how Onetrace works for electrical contractors, book a demo at onetrace.com.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:49:05

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28/08/2026 18:29:41

38 FIRE & SAFETY | BUILDERWING

Electrical fire prevention – best practices every electrical contractor should follow

lectrical contractors play a huge role in preventing fire risks on every job. This depends not only on doing a high-quality installation but also on making the right decisions before, during, and after the work is completed. Following safety standards, conducting routine inspections, and educating clients help keep a property safe long after work is completed. Electrical contractors in the UK are expected to follow BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations, and Building Regulations Part P. Keeping up with these requirements is a standard part of professional practice. Meeting these standards on every project helps ensure that their work is compliant, safe, and capable of withstanding both routine ECRs and detailed reviews following an incident. For electrical contractors in the UK, fire prevention should be part of every stage of the job. Let’s share a couple of general standards that can help reduce fire-related risks at work and reinforce the credibility of the contractors clients are seeking.

Why Electrical Fire Prevention Matters on Every Job Electrical systems wear out over time, even when they were correctly installed. Ageing wiring, loose connections, and higher electricity consumption can increase the risk of an electrical fire if not inspected regularly. Electrical contractors should look out for these common causes: • Ageing insulation is damaged by heat • Overloaded circuits generating excessive resistance • Loose terminals creating arcing hazards • Outdated consumer units that fail to handle modern loads Small electrical issues can quickly grow into bigger risks if left ignored. National data from the Detailed Analysis of Fires Report found that electrical distribution faults were responsible for around 16% of workplace fires in the last year. This accounts for roughly half of all accidental fires in commercial buildings. The figure shows the frequency of preventable faults that go undetected rather than being caught earlier.

Core Practices for Reducing Electrical Fire Risk Preventing electrical fires needs more than meeting minimum wiring regulations. This requires the discipline to create consistent habits.

Conducting Thorough Pre-Work Inspections Every job should start off with reviewing the existing conditions. Any new work built on top of undisclosed defects is likely to ruin even the most careful installation. This leaves both the contractor and the client facing unnecessary risk. Here’s what to assess: • Ensure a proper assessment of the consumer unit’s capacity • Check for any signs of wiring damage • Ensure grounding and bonding paths are tested • Be on the lookout for any signs of scorching

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Thorough inspections before starting a job are an important part of delivering safe and reliable electrical work. Clients often value contractors who consistently maintain high standards on every job.

Selecting the Correct Wire Gauge and Materials Using the wrong wire size often causes overheating and insulation damage, increasing the risk of electrical fire. Therefore, selecting the right wire size can prevent fire risk on any job.

Managing Heat-Generating Equipment and Clearances Most electric fires start near equipment due to the heat it generates during normal operation. This includes motors, transformers, and high-load machines. This requires proper area clearance and ventilation, as the wiring touches them. Maintain safe operating margins by: • Maintaining appropriate clearance distances • Don’t completely enclose heat-generating equipment • Ensuring that consumer units are properly ventilated • Regularly checking equipment temperature Failing to meet these critical requirements can cause normal safe equipment to become a slow-building hazard.

Recommend Regular Electrical Inspections to Clients Consistent inspections add a lot of value to a contractor’s profile, besides the work they perform. This ensures that future fire risks are under check and proper prevention measures are undertaken beforehand. It’s important to: • Confirm amperage before wiring • Implementing correctly rated conductors • Avoiding mixing incompatible metal types • Accounting for future load growth Investing in quality materials can help contractors avoid costly setbacks. This helps maintain high installation standards, as average electrician costs in the UK influence client expectations. Therefore, this habit can showcase a contractor’s quality and compliance, justifying their professional rating.

Ensuring Secure and Properly Torqued Connections Loose connections are another major source of arcing that overheats the surrounding materials, increasing the risk of an electrical fire. It’s important for contractors to follow the correct tightening instructions to ensure proper wiring installation. Contractors should follow: • Torque terminals should match manufacturer specs • Reinspection of connections after vibrations • Using anti-oxidant compound wherever required • Avoid over-tightening brittle terminals Small habits, like getting torque right on every terminal, are something every contractor should follow to gain client trust. Follow BS 7671 Requirements on Every Installation BS 7671 supports safe electrical work at different project phases. Applying its guidance from the start can help contractors achieve better, safer outcomes. Guidelines contractors should follow: • Correct cable sizing • Proper circuit protection • RCD and RCBO protection • Safe installation practices It’s important for electricians to operate to this standard right from the start of their project to avoid costly rework later.

Inspections include: • EICRs • Preventive maintenance • Thermal imaging • PAT testing for commercial properties This is also where the contractors can educate their clients, presenting inspection as the core protection for their property instead of an optional extra.

Growing Reputation Beyond the Job Site There are several factors that come into play in how electricians are found, compared, and selected. Although referrals and word of mouth are still important, the majority of searches now happen online. Here’s why commercial property owners search for a tradesperson online: • Reviews increasingly replace personal referrals • Online profiles showcase project history • Comparison happens before first contact • Online visibility builds trust and a first impression A contractor doing fire-safe work on all their jobs establishes a foundation for a local reputation. However, that reputation compounds if the next client can actually find them. Online marketplace platforms like BuilderWing have made this discovery seamless, offering property owners a streamlined way to find reliable tradespeople across the UK. Also, for contractors, this means a wider audience for the standards they already apply on-site.

Conclusion For electrical contractors, fire safety and risk assessment are the most important components that define their job role. Across commercial properties, this is extremely important, and only experts have firsthand insight into the best prevention strategies. So, staying prepared and following the best approaches can determine a tradesperson’s value, as it is also the factor that clients check before hiring one.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:49:55

SPELSBERG | FIRE & SAFETY 39

Enclosure customisation keeps points heating system on track Across rail networks, points heating systems are essential to safety and operations. GrayBar’s self-regulating heating technology delivers the energy efficient performance and extended service life – often 30 years or more – needed to keep them running reliably. GrayBar has partnered with Spelsberg for industrial enclosures and a customisation service that boosts quality while easing internal resources. Callum Bradwell, Area Sales Engineer at Spelsberg, explains

Heating systems prevent rail points, the mechanical system that switches tracks across train and tram networks, from freezing, reducing wear and extending lifetime. GrayBar, based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, specialises in self-regulating points heating systems designed to minimise maintenance.

Long-life points heating Some GrayBar systems have operated for over 30 years, deployed across Network Rail, Translink (Northern Ireland), Docklands Light Railway, the Newcastle Metro, and HS1. A key advantage is ease of installation and compact footprint: a single cabinet houses the control panel, transformers, and switchgear alongside the heating strips, and a full-sized 135 cm-wide unit can heat up to eight point-ends. To protect components within its track-side cubicles, GrayBar has long partnered with Spelsberg, choosing polycarbonate enclosures for their durability and features such as compact thumbscrews, useful where screwdrivers cannot fit.

I N D U S T R I A L

Enclosure customisation GrayBar now integrates Spelsberg’s TK series polycarbonate enclosures to protect the temperature control unit and HMI on its main heating system, housing MCBs, function buttons and status lights – needing 46 cut outs, machined by Spelsberg’s CNC team. “Spelsberg’s machining looks very professional and is highly accurate, with a precise fit even around the smallest components like the LEDs,” says Steve Richards, GrayBar. “It’s crucial to maintaining our systems’ long life, and removes the prospect of defects while cutting manhours.” The service has also cut customisation time from around a day to less than an hour.

Enclosure printing service

Engineering partnership

Spelsberg’s customisation also includes printing information directly onto the enclosure, including the GrayBar logo, button/light identification, and safety information. “Printing replaces manually applied labels, saving time and looking more professional,” says Steve. “Enclosures are exposed to rain and installed for years, so labels can peel – printing removes that challenge.”

In future, Spelsberg will apply a hinge kit, protecting the control unit and MCBs when open and saving maintenance time. GrayBar is also developing a compact system for four points on a smaller ‘Half LOC’ base, again with Spelsberg. “Ease of installation, durability and long life are crucial advantages of our systems, and Spelsberg help us achieve these goals,” Steve concludes.

A N D

E N C L O S U R E S

O U T D O O R

GEOS

Tough. Flexible. Safe.

Can your enclosure offer the same combination?

Tel: 01952 605849 Email: sales@spelsberg.co.uk Web: www.spelsberg.co.uk

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17/03/2026 13:35:15

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40 FIRE & SAFETY | REMARK

Are traditional safety systems keeping pace with today’s workplaces? William McCallum is Sales Director at Remark Group, a multidisciplinary engineering and technology company delivering infrastructure, workplace technology, security and renewable solutions across the UK. With a background spanning electrical installation, engineering, project delivery and commercial leadership, William works with organisations across healthcare, education, commercial property, industrial environments and critical infrastructure.

ommercial and industrial environments have changed dramatically over the last decade. Warehouses are handling greater throughput, distribution centres are operating around the clock, and facilities teams are managing increasingly complex sites where people, vehicles and machinery are constantly interacting. As operations become faster and busier, maintaining visibility across these environments has become a growing challenge. Against this backdrop, many organisations are beginning to ask whether the safety systems they rely on are evolving at the same pace as the workplaces they’re designed to protect. Traditional safety infrastructure continues to play an essential role. CCTV systems, incident reports and routine inspections all remain fundamental components of a strong safety strategy. However, many of these systems were originally designed with one primary purpose in mind: recording what happened after an incident had already occurred. That retrospective approach has served organisations well for many years, providing evidence for investigations, supporting compliance requirements and helping businesses understand why an event took place. But as operational environments become more dynamic, there is growing recognition that understanding yesterday’s incident is only part of the picture. The greater opportunity lies in identifying today’s risks before they become tomorrow’s incidents. This shift in thinking is encouraging organisations to look beyond incident recording and focus instead on continuous operational visibility. One area where this shift is becoming particularly evident is in the use of existing CCTV infrastructure. Once viewed primarily as a tool for security and investigations, organisations are increasingly recognising its value in providing greater visibility into day-to-day operational activity. Advances in vision-based analytics are transforming cameras from passive recording devices into tools that help identify emerging risks and operational trends in real time. Rather than waiting for an incident to trigger a review of recorded footage, organisations can begin to understand where potential hazards are developing, how often they occur and whether they represent isolated events or recurring operational issues.

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This is particularly valuable in commercial and industrial environments, where many risks develop gradually rather than appearing as single catastrophic events. Pedestrian and vehicle interactions, blocked walkways, restricted area access, poor housekeeping or repeated unsafe behaviours may not immediately result in an accident, but they can indicate patterns that increase operational risk over time. Historically, many near misses went unnoticed or unreported, leaving organisations with little understanding of how frequently these situations were occurring. By using monitoring systems to identify recurring hazards rather than simply record incidents, businesses gain a clearer understanding of how their sites operate, enabling earlier intervention and more informed decisions around site layout, traffic management, housekeeping and workforce behaviours. Importantly, this isn’t about replacing established safety procedures or removing the need for experienced operational teams. Safety will always depend on effective processes, well-trained people and a strong organisational culture. Instead, better visibility provides those

teams with additional information to support decision-making and prioritise improvements where they will have the greatest impact. This represents a broader shift from reactive investigation towards proactive risk identification. Instead of asking, “Why did this incident happen?” organisations are increasingly able to ask, “Where are risks emerging, and what can we do before an incident occurs?” For operators managing busy commercial and industrial environments, understanding how people, vehicles and assets interact throughout the working day offers an opportunity to reduce risk while improving operational resilience. The workplaces of today demand more than simply recording events after the fact. They require greater awareness of what is happening in real time, enabling organisations to respond sooner, make better-informed decisions and continually improve the safety of their operations. As commercial and industrial environments continue to evolve, the organisations best placed to manage risk may not be those with the most incident reports to review, but those with the visibility to identify and address emerging hazards before they become incidents in the first place.

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

29/08/2026 09:59:15

TOP PICKS | PRODUCTS 41

Aperta IP multi-way door entry solution from ESP ESP’s Aperta IP PoE access control range offers installers high-spec door entry solutions that are quick to install and suited to a wide range of projects — from apartment blocks to small commercial and domestic properties, with more flexible installation and improved performance over traditional 2-wire/4-wire systems. At the top of the range is the Aperta IP Multi Way Outdoor Station, offering simple PoE installation, HD video, IP65 ingress protection, and a 4” GUI display. Powered by a PoE switch, it includes proximity fob and keypad release for connected door locks, accommodating up to 200 apartments or offices per station. For larger projects, contractors can contact ESP’s technical team (design@espuk. com). The system runs on the ClickSmart+ app, offering call receive with 2-way audio/ video, lock release, mobile snapshots, and monitor playback (microSD required). The outdoor station’s aluminium alloy housing offers high impact resistance, with an HD camera and full duplex audio. The range also includes 7” monitors (black or white), with Wi-Fi/LAN connectivity supporting app functions like Call Divert. Monitors feature a touch screen GUI, full HD live view, duplex audio, and recording (microSD required). All devices connect via PoE switches, removing the need for individual power supplies, and the system requires no programming software to configure. Download the brochure at www.espuk.com or via the Scolmore Group app. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggdgG2rOcfc

www.espuk.com

Makita’s new heat gun provides cordless heat for professional results The Makita HG001GZ02 40VMax XGT® Heat Gun is a powerful cordless tool, designed for professional tradespeople who need reliable performance. Part of Makita’s advanced XGT®40V platform, it delivers temperatures up to 600ºC and airflow rates up to 200 L/min, making it ideal for a range of demanding applications. Supplied as a body only unit with a Makpac carry case, the heat gun is ideal for use in workshops and construction sites since it offers excellent efficiency and maximum temperatures equivalent to AC models, but with all the freedom of cordless. With an increase in voltage compared to previous models, the tool is suitable for applications such as hot welding waterproof sheets and shrinking sheathes for thick cables with a diameter of ≥ 25 mm. Additionally, the tool has advanced control to keep temperatures and airflow steady, adjusting for fluctuations in battery voltage. It also comes with a digital LCD and control dial, allowing users to change the temperature and airflow to their preference, and stores the last used setting so tasks can be continued with ease. The LCD displays the settings in numerical values (ºC/ºF) and shows the battery status, flow level and error messages, and has maximum temperature control for safer use. Compatible with the nozzles used for the existing DC and AC models, the tool delivers maximum versatility and is equipped with a quick release mechanism so that users can remove them without physical contact with the hot parts of the machine. It also features a single LED light to illuminate the work area and a soft rubberised handle for added comfort. Finally, for ease of storage, the tool has a hook to hang it up. Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita commented: “The new heat gun offers power, precision and freedom to professionals looking for an efficient solution when working on thermal jobs. The tool also comes in a versatile storage solution, keeping it well protected and easy to transport – making sure operators are ready for any task.” www.makitauk.com

@ElectricalTimes | www.electricaltimes.co.uk

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Ovia spotlights its upgraded emergency exit box within ORBIK’s established product portfolio Ovia, part of the Scolmore Group, continues to build on its Orbik by Ovia emergency lighting range, a portfolio that has benefited from significant investment to enhance innovation, performance, and compliance. Significant to the upgraded portfolio is the Vipex5, a 4W Polycarbonate Exit Box. Delivering outstanding performance, the Vipex5 boasts a 36-metre viewing distance for maximum visibility and safety. Its ultra-narrow frame creates a sleek, modern aesthetic, while the robust polycarbonate construction provides a durable upgrade from traditional metal exit boxes. Designed for versatility, this polycarbonate exit box can be easily retrofitted, making an ideal stylish solution for both new installations and refurbishment projects. In addition to Vipex5, every product within the Orbik by Ovia range benefits from a number of key technical and functional upgrades including enhanced self-test functionality, long-life LiFePO4 battery technology, a five-year warranty, and refined designs to meet the evolving demands of modern emergency lighting applications. The Expanded Orbik portfolio The Orbik range is broken down into the following categories: exit signs, ‘Five in One’ exit sign, hanging exit signs, exit boxes, twin spots, circular and square spots, bulkheads, pin spots, and control gear and accessories - encompassing a comprehensive selection of emergency lighting solutions designed to meet diverse commercial and industrial requirements. Bespoke Emergency Lighting Designs Ovia also offers bespoke Emergency Lighting Design schemes engineered to comply with the latest BS5266 code of practice, incorporating all design objectives for optimal performance. Ovia’s highly skilled specialists produce detailed, accurate lighting layouts tailored to project requirements, ensuring comprehensive solutions that are perfectly engineered for safety, compliance, and peace of mind. www.oviauk.com

Unicrimp’s comprehensive conduit accessories range Scolmore Group company Unicrimp continues to support electricians and installers with its comprehensive Q-Crimp conduit accessories portfolio. Developed with installers in mind, the range combines robust materials with practical design to streamline installation and ensure long-term reliability. It includes over 90 products, covering residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Responding to market demand, Unicrimp has expanded sizes across several core lines: Long and short pattern brass male bushes (32mm, 1.5”, 2”) Brass female bushes (32mm, 1.5”, 2”) Solid and flange couplers (32mm, 1.5”, 2”) Milled edge lock rings (32mm, 38mm, 50mm) Light gauge lock nuts (32mm, 38mm, 50mm) The range also welcomes a new product type — Threaded Nipples (20mm, 25mm, 32mm) for secure conduit-to-enclosure connections, providing reliable alignment, mechanical stability, and electrical continuity. Other key categories include Conduit Boxes, Light Gauge Saddles, Inspection Tees, Inspection Bends, and Metal Hooks. Key features - Durable – galvanised steel resists corrosion and environmental stress Heat resistant – suited to industrial and commercial applications Flexible – multiple sizes with elbows, bends, and junction boxes for adaptable system design Versatile – suitable for indoor and outdoor environments Quality and support - Q-Crimp accessories are manufactured to Scolmore Group’s quality standards, supported by third-party testing, routine facility inspections, and batch coding for traceability. Installers also have access to Scolmore’s technical department for specification and compliance support.

www.unicrimp.com

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42 PRODUCTS | TOP PICKS NVC Lighting Launches RANGER LED Batten - helping contractors quote with confidence. Install with ease. NVC Lighting has launched RANGER, a versatile, great value LED batten engineered to help electrical contractors and wholesalers deliver quality lighting solutions while supporting competitive project pricing, faster installation and stronger commercial returns. Combining three selectable colour temperatures and four selectable power outputs in a single fitting, RANGER reduces the number of SKUs required, simplifying specification, stocking and installation across a wide range of commercial and residential applications. Installer-friendly features, including a quick-release hinge-down design and movable terminal block, help reduce installation time, while compatibility with NVC’s plug-in emergency and microwave sensor modules provides added flexibility. Backed by NVC’s 5-year warranty, RANGER delivers dependable performance, genuine everyday value and the flexibility contractors need to quote with confidence, install with ease and remain commercially competitive. www.nvcuk.com

Essentials wiring accessories from Click Scolmore Click Scolmore’s Essentials wiring accessories range offers reliable, versatile solutions for a wide variety of installations. The range includes galvanised steel and dry lining back boxes, IP66-rated weatherproof switches and sockets, and robust Metal Clad accessories. Essentials Back Boxes are available in durable polycarbonate or galvanised steel, including standard, dry lining, and FlameGuard versions. FlameGuard back boxes offer enhanced fire protection and meet both fire and acoustic BS EN standards. The Aquip66 range features IP66-rated 10AX and 20AX outdoor switches and sockets. Made from heavy-duty polycarbonate, they are ideal for sheds, hot tubs, and workspaces. Unfurnished enclosures support Click’s MiniGrid and GridPro modules for added flexibility. Metal Clad and Metal Clad Pro ranges are built for demanding environments, with tough, electrophoretically coated plates and back boxes. Metal Clad Pro adds a modern curved profile and is available in Polar White, Metal Clad Grey, and Matt Black; perfect for stylish and high-specification installations. Click Scolmore’s Fused Mains Switches provide vital protection and control for residential and commercial circuits. With a lockable switch and extended cable shroud, they help prevent accidental energisation and ensure maximum safety. The Essentials range showcases Click Scolmore’s commitment to high-quality, reliable products for professionals, combining innovative designs with trusted solutions. To view the full Essentials range visit Click Scolmore’s website. www.scolmore.com

Beating the British heatwave: a two-in-one lighting and fan fix With the recent long UK heatwave, homeowners have been asking how to stay cool without a full air conditioning install. Forum Lighting Solutions has responded by expanding its decorative lighting collection with a new range of LED ceiling lights with integrated fans - one fitting delivering both lighting and cooling, wired once and controlled entirely by remote. Electricians are fielding more client requests for something more effective than a standing fan but less disruptive than air conditioning. This range offers installers a straightforward answer: a single ceiling fitting that lights the room and moves the air, with no separate fan circuit or extra switch wiring required. The range spans three designs - Ingram, Lyona and Trinity - each available in black, satin nickel, chrome and warm brass. Every fitting combines light and fan motor in one unit, connecting to a standard ceiling rose like a conventional pendant or flush fitting, with the remote handling everything from first fix onward. Key specification highlights: • Reversible six-speed fan motor - forward airflow for summer cooling, reverse for winter to circulate warm air down • Remote-controlled fan speed, light output and colour temperature. No wall controller needed • Switchable colour temperature (3000K/4000K/6000K) • Three-level dimming • Built-in 2- or 4-hour timer For electricians, a factory-wired combined unit means less first-fix planning and no separate fan isolator circuit, just a tidier ceiling rose with one point of connection. It’s a natural upgrade for bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and conservatories during a rewire, refit or bedroom update. www.forumlightingsolutions.com/product-category/ decorative-lighting-new/ceiling-lights-with-fan/

Precision that stays put When you’re working on electrical fixings, having the right tip to hand matters. That’s why C.K. Tools has expanded the Dexpress system with a new VDE Cartridge Screwdriver, combining six essential electrical tip profiles in one compact, interchangeable handle, with security built into the design. At the heart of the design is the twist-lock system, which securely grips the interchangeable blades in the handle while still allowing fast, efficient changes between tips. So whether the job calls for a PZ2, a slotted tip or the unique-to-C.K. SL/PZ1.5 profile, changing blades is quick and straightforward. And when those blades aren’t in use, they don’t need to disappear into the bottom of a tool bag. The screwdriver’s handle incorporates a secure bit holder for all six supplied blades, keeping the complete set together and ready for the next fixing. The set includes the unique-to-C.K. SL/PZ1.5 profile, designed for MCBs and RCBOs, alongside PZ1, PZ2, SL2.5, SL3.5 and SL5.5, covering many of the most common electrical fixing applications.

Of course, versatility shouldn’t come at the expense of safety. Every Dexpress blade is individually tested to 10,000V for safe working at 1,000V AC, providing the reassurance expected from professional VDE-insulated tooling. The Dexpress system doesn’t stop at the six blades supplied with the cartridge screwdriver. A wider selection of interchangeable tips is available separately, allowing electricians to expand the system around the way they work and the fixings they encounter most often. The result is a screwdriver system designed around a simple idea: keep the right precision tool close, secure and ready for the job. Precision that stays put. www.ck-tools.com/products/ck-tools/screwdrivers/screwdriver-sets/vde-cartridge-screwdriver

Click Scolmore highlights enhanced safety with Elucian three phase terminal shrouds Click Scolmore is reinforcing its commitment to safety and compliance across its Elucian consumer unit range with its Three Phase Terminal Shrouds, designed to support safer installation practices in more complex electrical environments. Developed with installer safety in mind, the Elucian Three Phase Terminal Shrouds provide a practical solution for protecting against accidental contact with live components. Installed at the base of a 250A main switch, these shrouds act as a protective barrier between incoming supply cables and the installer, significantly reducing risk during both initial installation and ongoing maintenance work. As electrical systems become increasingly sophisticated, particularly in commercial and industrial settings, the need for robust safety measures is more important than ever. The addition of the Three Phase Terminal Shrouds helps ensure that installations not only meet current regulations but also align with best practice approaches to electrical safety. Engineered for durability and reliability, the shrouds are manufactured to deliver strong

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mechanical protection, helping to safeguard critical components from impact while maintaining clear cable segregation. Their design allows for straightforward integration within Elucian consumer units, ensuring that installers can implement additional safety measures quickly and efficiently without unnecessary complexity. With a clear focus on practical, installer-focused innovation, Elucian continues to evolve its range to meet the demands of modern electrical installations - placing safety, compliance, and ease of use at the forefront. www.elucianuk.com

www.electricaltimes.co.uk | @ElectricalTimes

26/08/2026 10:11:40

CLOSING ARGUMENT 43

Why the demand for certified solar installers is greater than ever Data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables like solar panels, shows that demand for solar in homes and small businesses has reached record levels. Dan White, Market Development Director at MCS, discusses the reasons behind this growth, and how installers can make the most of the opportunities in the solar industry.

mong MCS’ record-breaking 2025 for certified installations, solar continued to be the most popular low-carbon technology for UK homes and small businesses. This momentum has continued into 2026, with more than 125,000 installations carried out by MCS certified installers in the first six months of the year alone. March 2026 was the best month for rooftop solar in the UK since December 2015, and we recently achieved the milestone of 2 million MCS certified solar installations across the UK – from South Hams to Midlothian. The demand for certified solar is set to rise even further, as more consumers look for alternative ways to power their homes to support with the cost of living and the government prepares to deliver industry-first initiatives as part of the net-zero transition.

Building the future The Future Homes Standard sets out the aim of all new homes built in England from 2028 to be fitted with solar panels by default, building on an already growing market for solar. In a record-breaking 2025, more than one in three MCS certified solar installations were carried out on new build properties. Solar also has a part to play in the government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, including the Warm Homes Loans Scheme – which will provide an opportunity for homeowners and landlords who wish to install low-carbon technologies, such as solar panels, to take out low-interest loans. At the time of writing, we’re still awaiting details for how this will work in practice, but it’s set to make the technology more accessible to a wider range of households.

Crucially, MCS certification is a core requirement for government schemes and initiatives. It is the only way for consumers to guarantee access to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which lets them earn money by exporting excess electricity generated from their solar panels, and is recognised in the Warmes Homes Plan – with it being a requirement to access the upcoming Warm Homes Loan Scheme.

@ElectricalTimes | www.electricaltimes.co.uk

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A new era for MCS The redeveloped installer Scheme, now rolling out across our certified installer base, is a fundamental shift for the sector that will drive quality outcomes. It means that MCS certification goes beyond technical compliance – it puts consumer protection at its heart, with the changes formally recognised by government as being central to the continued confidence in homegrown energy. Installers will benefit from: • A new risk-based assessment model that will reward consistently compliant installers with fewer assessments • Clearer, streamlined technical Standards • A new, direct relationship with MCS held through the Installer Agreement, which will provide greater clarity on your responsibilities • A dedicated Account Manager at MCS who will provide practical support, guidance, and resources to help you gain and maintain certification, while also supporting you in improving outcomes for your customers It represents our new role in the sector as a consumer protection organisation – not just a standards body

– here to support both consumers and installers. With complaints management now in-house and new requirements for financial protection in place, as MCS installer you can ensure your customers feel more secure in their investment.

Be part of a growing industry As more consumers invest in solar, it’s crucial that quality is maintained. Therefore, it’s never been a better time to join the 4,400 MCS certified solar installers across the UK to demonstrate your commitment. Installers new to MCS will become certified under the redeveloped Scheme, with the transition phase lasting until 31 March 2027; the deadline by which all MCS certified installers will need to be operating under the redeveloped Scheme. For a simple, free-to-access guide on how to become certified and the benefits this can bring to your business, visit the MCS website. To find out more about how to get your business MCS certified, you can access MCS’ free interactive guide here: www.mcscertified.com/installers/ view-our-guide-to-certification

September 2026

29/08/2026 10:10:03

ET - A4.pdf 1 20/07/2026 11:20:57

The leading trade body for electrotechnical contractors

CMY

STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH ECA MEMBERSHIP

Recognised professional credibility across public and private sector clients Technical and business-critical expertise to support compliance, reduce risk and protect margins Tailored savings and services that deliver measurable value Access to a powerful peer network, shaping industry standards and policy For electrotechnical contractors committed to excellence, resilience, and growth, ECA membership is essential. Discover more at eca.co.uk/unlock

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28/08/2026 18:30:38