COVER ILLUSTRATION: LEE WRIGHT
Contents Autumn 2010 | Issue 175
Regulars
Features
41
SECTOR FOCUS: 20 INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION With manufacturing growing again, recovery may be in sight for industrial electrics
View from the top 4 Standing out from the crowd News Public urged to call in the professionals
6
Prime-time TV slot for NICEIC expertise
7
ESC toolkit promotes installation of RCDs
9
DIY electricians put families’ lives at risk
11
Jersey Boys to top the bill at powerBall
13
Product news Fluke’s insulation test
15
COVER STORY: 22 CONTRACT KILLINGS Tendering for contracts is now particularly tough – but is there more you can do to get ahead of the rest? A BREATH OF FRESH AIR 32 Demand for new ventilation and heat recovery systems is providing opportunities for suitably qualified contractors 20
LEADING LIGHTS 26 The energy-efficiency drive means you need to be up to speed on developments in lighting technology
Advice 17 Firms that have relied on the public sector must consider new areas of business, says Matthew Humphrey Opinion 18 Government needs to invest in over-18s, says Steve Evans NICEIC in action Online training courses
GET YOUR VOICE HEARD 36 NICEIC puts your views on the industry to government 26
CONTRACTOR PROFILE 42 EMS
Technical
38
Customer care 41 Periodic inspection reports Ask the experts 45 Some of the NICEIC technical helpline’s more frequently asked questions answered Current Affairs 70 Have you got the bottle for it? www.niceic.com
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36
Enclosing connections:
49
Photovoltaic systems:
52
Snags and solutions:
56
Protective conductor: 59 currents Floor and ceiling heating: 62 42 Determining Zs:
66
NICEIC Connections Autumn 2010 3
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