Electrical Review Jan-Feb 2022

January / February 2022 Volume 256 | No 1 www.electricalreview.co.uk

Informing the electrical industry for 150 years

Electric Vehicles

Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution

Cutting through the electric vehicle jargon.

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How the electrical distribution sector is innovating in the face of industry-wide change.

Final Say Should nuclear energy or gasfired electricity generation be considered ‘green’?

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Conten t s Regulars

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04 • Editor’s Comment 150 years young.

06 • News Stories from the sector.

10 • Gossage Gossip The latest from our industry insider.

36 • Talking Point

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How recent changes to BS 9251:2021, which make secondary power supplies mandatory, could quite literally save lives.

38 • Final Say Should nuclear energy or gas-fired electricity generation be considered ‘green’?

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40 • Products Innovations worth watching.

Features 14 • Automation, IoT & Smart Tech Joe Lomako from TÜV SÜD details the threat IoT devices have to the security of an organisation, and how to build up a defence.

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16 • Cables & Cable Management No matter how many chargers are installed, they need to work reliably, that’s why protecting the cabling should be of utmost importance.

22 • Electric Vehicles Griff Thomas, Managing Director of GTEC, explains how electricians can upskill for the electrification of the heating and transport sectors.

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28 • Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Andrea Donadel from Schneider Electric offers some valuable insight into the crucial steps we need to take to innovate the electrical distribution sector.

32 • Test & Measurement Lesson that could be learned from the US and how technology could supercharge the testing and inspection of power lines.

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EDITOR

Jordan O’Brien jordano@sjpbusinessmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Kayleigh Hutchins kayleigh@datacentrereview.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Alex Gold alexg@sjpbusinessmedia.com

GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Sunny Nehru +44 (0) 207 062 2539 sunnyn@sjpbusinessmedia.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Kelly Baker +44 (0)207 0622534 kellyb@electricalreview.co.uk

GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Fidi Neophytou +44 (0) 7741 911302 fidin@sjpbusinessmedia.com

PUBLISHER

Wayne Darroch

Editor’s Comment Happy New Year!

It’s finally 2022, and while I counted my chickens before they hatched in the last issue by declaring the worst of Covid over, I’m now more confident than ever that we’re on the other side. In fact, I’m positively optimistic that 2022 is going to be a great year for both the electrical industry and Electrical Review itself.

You’ve probably heard me hark on about this quite a lot already, but this year Electrical Review is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Not many things last 150 years, in fact many of the luxuries we take for granted have not been around anywhere near as long.

For those of you reading this magazine digitally, chances are you could be using your smartphone. Of course, the concept of the smartphone is still relatively new, but did you know Electrical Review predates Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone patent? Bell wouldn’t receive his patent for the telephone until 1876, some four years after Electrical Review was first published.

Even the humble light bulb has been around for less time than this institution of a magazine, with Thomas Edison only being awarded a patent for the technology in 1879. And automobiles? They wouldn’t be around for the first 13 years of Electrical Review’s history. That means there was a larger gap between the first edition of Electrical Review and the automobile than there is currently between the launch of the iPad and now.

We can’t wait to share with you everything we have planned for this year as we celebrate our 150th anniversary, but you’re going to have to wait until November for our special edition issue – don’t worry, it’ll be worth the wait.

But for now, enjoy the first issue of our 150th year, which is jam packed with content that is sure to inform and entertain. As always, if you have anything you want to share with us, get in touch at electricalreview.co.uk/contact.

Jordan O’Brien, Editor

Printing by Buxton Paid subscription enquiries: subscriptions@sjpbusinessmedia.com SJP Business Media 2nd Floor, 123 Cannon Street London, EC4N 5AU Electrical Review is a controlled circulation monthly magazine available free to selected personnel at the publisher’s discretion.

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Any article in this journal represents the opinions of the author.

This does not necessarily reflect the views of Electrical Review or its publisher – SJP Business Media ISSN 0013-4384 – All editorial contents © SJP Business Media

4 Electrical www.electricalreview.co.uk Review | January /????

February 2022

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NEWS

News Almost 25GW of offshore wind energy earmarked as part of ScotWind auction Scotland could soon see an additional 25GW of offshore wind power generation, after the ScotWind auction awarded leases to 17 projects.

The ScotWind offshore wind lease auction is the first time that plots of seabed in Scottish waters have been available to lease in a decade. It was seen as an important step in supercharging the rollout of offshore wind capability off the coast of Scotland, with Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, describing the auction as ‘a massive opportunity for [Scotland’s] renewable energy capacity and transition to net zero’.

Crown Estate Scotland ran the auction, with the organisation awarding leases to a total of 17 projects totalling almost 25GW, much higher than was initially anticipated. In fact, the auction was expected to deliver just 10GW of capacity, although no one expected half the auction winners to commit to the construction of floating wind farms.

Of course, all the auction winners are still able to pull out, at which point Crown Estate Scotland will simply award the land to the next highest bidder. However, it’s unlikely that any of the winners will pull out at this stage.

It’s safe to say Scotland’s renewable energy industry will be busy with the new projects, which were selected from a total of 74 applications. Of course, while it will be a massive boon for the amount of renewable energy that is generated off the Scottish coast, it will also benefit Scotland’s coffers, with £700 million set to go directly to the Scottish Government as part of the proceeds from the auction.

Scotland narrowly misses 2020 target for 100% renewable electricity generation Scotland narrowly missed its target of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2020, despite improved revised figures.

In early 2021, it was estimated that Scotland had generated an impressive 97.4% of its electricity from renewable sources, although that figure would prove to be too pessimistic.

Just before New Year 2022, official figures confirmed that gross consumption from renewables – minus net exports – was actually 98.6%.

Thankfully the approval of 25GW of offshore wind power should help the country reach its goal in the near future.

UK’s second Gigafactory gains approval from West Midlands authorities

The UK is set to move forward with its second Gigafactory, with a battery manufacturing facility at Coventry Airport receiving the green light from local authorities.

Dubbed the West Midlands Gigafactory, it will be the second facility of its kind in the UK capable of producing lithium-ion batteries for the automotive and energy storage industries at scale. The first is set to be located in Blyth, Northumberland, developed by Britishvolt, who initially planned to debut its first facility in Wales.

Production is not expected to begin until 2025, although once operational, it’s expected that the factory will be capable of not only producing new lithium-ion batteries but also recycling old ones.

Plus, upon reaching its target capacity, the West Midlands Gigafactory will be capable of providing up to 60GWh of batteries by 2030.

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NEWS

Energy lost from European, American wind farms could power London for 110 days

Wind farms in Europe and North America are not operating at full capacity, causing a staggering 11,300GWh of lost energy a year, according to Onyx Insight.

The volume of energy lost could power London for 110 days straight, or New York for 80 days, which is why Onyx is calling on wind farm owners and operators to take steps to safeguard and maximise every megawatt of production, especially as temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere begin to plummet.

Lost energy from wind farms can be caused by a myriad of issues, but it is believed that 80% of all that energy loss comes down to just 10 primary reasons.

That could be due to falling temperatures, imbalance or misalignment of parts within the turbine, erosion, or icing.

Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition agreed, set for March 28 The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI have signed off the content for Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations).

Proposals for Amendment 2 were first announced in September 2020, with the industry being able to consult on the changes since then.

Following extensive consultation, Amendment 2 is finally set to come into effect.

The IET and BSI have confirmed that

the new regulations will come into effect immediately upon publishing on March 28, 2022, with the previous version, BS 7671:2018+A1:2020, to be withdrawn six months later.

Amendment 2 introduces a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the fire safety design for buildings and a new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.

UK Power Networks unveils finalised £4.6 billion business plan for net zero

Demand for EVs is outpacing new charger installations, according to SMMT The demand for electric vehicles is outstripping the installation of new chargers, with a 31% drop in the ratio of EVs to public chargers during 2020.

This is according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which noticed at the end of 2019, there were 11 vehicles for every one EV charger, while that figure had risen to 16 vehicles per charger by the end of 2020.

The slow pace of EV charger installation is even more stark when considering the explosion in demand for electric vehicles. In fact, the figures have reached the point that only one new charger is being installed for every 52 new electric vehicles being registered. That means the ratio is likely to fall even further.

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Britain’s ratio of plug-in vehicles on the road to standard public chargers has deteriorated to become one of the worst among the top 10 global electric vehicle markets. South Korea boasts a charger for every electric vehicle, while the Netherlands has a spread of 5:1, China 9:1, France 10:1 and Belgium and Japan have a 13:1 spread. In fact, the UK only just manages to beat out Germany, which has just one charger for every 17 electric vehicles.

However, the ratio of electric vehicles to public charging points is different depending on where you are in the UK. Those in London will find a charger for every 10 electric vehicles, while in the East of England there is just one public charger for every 49 plug-ins.

UK Power Networks is set to accelerate towards net zero as part of its next business plan, which it has now submitted to Ofgem.

The £4.6 billion plan covers the years from 2023-2028, and while the company doesn’t plan to achieve all of its net zero goals by the end of it, UK Power Networks is putting into place safeguards to ensure that nobody is left behind in the transition.

As part of this safeguarding plan, UK Power Networks has committed to founding a new £20 million Foundation to support communities. The Foundation will include £9 million to help 500,000 customers in or at risk of entering fuel poverty, while the remaining £11 million will be part of a social fund to help customers in vulnerable circumstances through the energy transition to net zero.

Gossage Gossip Green, with envy?

Chinese Checkers

I am puzzled at the universality of the furore. This April, each household in Britain is being told to brace itself for absolutely enormous hikes in electricity bills. The trade body Energy UK is publicly warning about 50% uplifts in charges.

China is not well known for its commitment to an open government. So the information now published, as to why one of its new nuclear plants at Taishan has been shut down for over six months, is potentially very worrying for the UK. The closure is owing to cracked fuel rods that emerged after only one operating cycle.

The reason given? Nothing to do with extra distribution or retail expenses.

But apparently entirely to do with the escalation in the worldwide cost of natural gas, putting up wholesale costs dramatically.

But there is a large number of electricity consumers who should be in a position to avoid any such increases.

These are the customers of Ovo and so of SSE, of Shell Energy, of Good Energy, and indeed of myriad other ‘green’ residential electricity suppliers.

Because all of these customers have long been assured by their electricity supplier that all of the electricity that is being sold to them is generated entirely from non-fossil fuel sources.

And, as we have also been told endlessly, the cost of renewable electricity generation has not been increasing dramatically over the past year. Instead, the price of purchasing most renewables for electricity generation has been dropping like a stone, year on year. Thus, presumably insulating such happy households from any need to endure any hikes in their fuel bills, let alone 50% increases.

I am sure that the vast majority of my thousands of faithful readers will already be signed up with one of these eco-friendly companies. And I am equally sure each of them will let me know should any of these suppliers be seeking to increase their electricity prices this spring too.

Why is it worrying? Taishan is the only completed example in the world of the prototype EPR being constructed at Hinkley Point in Somerset, and scheduled for Sizewell in Suffolk. And the implications for the viability of both of these £20bn+ ‘investments’ are potentially very serious. The Business Department is taking no responsibility for analysing these implications. Instead, a spokesman told the Daily Telegraph that, “If the British Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) considered that any nuclear site was not safe or secure, it would not be allowed to operate.”

So, is the ONR keeping a beady eye upon the Taishan problems? Er, no. In response to a Freedom of Information request from Sussex University this January, the ONR admitted it ‘holds no information relating to design flaws regarding Taishan, or indeed any information that suggests this claimed design flaw has or may impact either Hinkley Point C or Sizewell C’. But this must mean the ONR cannot have made any inquiries as to these possible design flaws, because if so they would by definition hold some information. Given the amount of worldwide media attention the issue has had, most people would rightly think the ONR is simply not discharging its duty.

Facing up to Facebook Campaigners against a new Facebook data centre in the Netherlands have warned that it will use as much electricity as a major city. And that the country will need to alter all of its climate change targets if the project is approved.

The new 410-acre server farm for Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram is projected to consume 1,380GWh of electricity annually – equivalent to over 10% of Dutch wind production. The local council at Zeewolde (population 22,000) gave Meta permission to build the centre in December. But the sale of the land still requires central Government approval. And the new Dutch government is under pressure to veto it.

They are aware that Meta also has a large server in nearby Denmark, where by 2030 power servers are forecast to require 15% of Danish electricity generation.

Over in Ireland it is reckoned that by 2028, data centres will be using 30% of its electricity. Oh, brave new world.

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Drax moves up to the Crown Court I was gratified that so many of my devoted readers – especially those who are members of Unite the Union – were present at Leeds Magistrates Court on November 30. That is when Drax, whose power station in Yorkshire is the largest in the UK burning woody biomass, began facing criminal prosecution from the government’s Health and Safety Executive. This followed concerns that dust from its wood pellets is (allegedly) posing a risk to employees’ health.

The magistrates considered the matter of such importance that the case was referred up to be heard at Leeds Crown Court.

Initially this trial was due to begin on December 31. But after representations from Drax to the effect that they required extra time to prepare their defence, the starting date was delayed a further six weeks. The fireworks will finally begin at 10am on February 10.

The company is also accused of breaching risk assessment obligations before allowing employees to work with these potentially ‘hazardous substances’. The charge is that it is exceeding a workplace limit on wood dust exposure, with insufficient control measures including dust extraction, respirators and skin checks.

Originally built to burn coal, Drax now survives via multi-million pounds worth of Government subsidies each year (£790m in 2019, £832m in 2020). Amid policies designed to phase out fossil fuels, biomass use in the UK is surging, generating 12% of UK electricity in 2020.

Even though burning biomass releases greenhouse gases, it is classified as ‘renewable’ because plants can suck up gases like carbon dioxide as they re-grow. In the early years of biomass, some hoped only waste products would be burned, which would have soon decomposed and released carbon anyway. However, a huge industry of harvesting trees for wood pellets has emerged – and this is how Drax sources much of its business. And much of the contentious impacts upon employees’ health.

SPONSORED FEATURE

Easy on-line partial discharge measurement, analysis and temporary monitoring OMICRON describes how its MONTESTO200 can ensure accurate and simple on-line partial discharge measurement to ensure electrical assets are always at their best.

he constant availability of medium- and high-voltage electrical assets used in the generation, transmission and distribution is important for a reliable power supply at both utilities and also in industrial plants. Partial discharge (PD) is one of the major contributors to the degradation and failure of insulation systems in electrical assets.

Because PD activity is often present well in advance of insulation failure, asset managers can assess it over time and make informed strategic

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decisions regarding the timely repair or replacement of the equipment before a failure occurs. PD measurement and analysis are therefore essential to ensure the reliable assessment of insulation condition and the long-term operation of electrical equipment.

Although users consider PD detection and monitoring as beneficial for trending insulation conditions in electrical assets, the system installation and data analysis were often too complicated and time-consuming for the average user. In addition, users wanted a system that is more

SPONSORED FEATURE

flexible for short-term and long-term use on multiple assets, rather than investing in multiple systems. That is why OMICRON decided to develop a portable on-line PD measurement and temporary monitoring system that is easier to install and use on a wide variety of assets in the field.

One system for various applications OMICRON’s MONTESTO200 combines on-line PD measurement and temporary on-line PD monitoring functions into one portable system. The IP65-rated MONTESTO200 can be used both indoors and outdoors for insulation condition assessments on various medium-voltage and high-voltage electrical assets under load, including motors and generators, power transformers and power cables. This versatility makes it possible for users to invest in only one system for assessing the insulation condition status of electrical assets throughout a utility or industrial plant.

Plug-and-play connections to various PD sensors MONTESTO200 is designed for use with a variety of PD measurement sensors from OMICRON and other suppliers, including coupling capacitors for rotating machines, bushing tap sensors and UHF drain-valve sensors for power transformers, as well as high-frequency current transformers (HFCTs) for power cables.

These PD measurement sensors can be permanently installed and connected to MONTESTO 200 via OMICRON’s Terminal Box, which is also permanently installed at the asset. This enables safe and convenient plug-and-play connections while the asset is online to avoid unnecessary downtime during setup.

Various application areas MONTESTO200 is intended for use by asset manufacturers, maintenance teams at utilities and industrial sites, as well as service providers for convenient on-line PD diagnostic measurements and analysis as well as temporary PD monitoring over selected periods of time to trend PD activity. The two-in-one solution can be used, for example, to clarify asset insulation issues during warranty periods; to periodically check insulation condition during an asset’s service life; to identify insulation issues that require immediate attention; to observe assets at risk over extended periods of time; and to plan maintenance and investment based on asset condition.

You can learn more about the MONTESTO200 at www.omicronenergy.com/montesto200

www.electricalreview.co.uk 13

AUTOMATION, IOT & SMART TECH

Security standards for IoT devices Joe Lomako, Business Development Manager (IoT) at TÜV SÜD, a global product testing and certification organisation, details the threat IoT devices have to the security of an organisation, and how to build up a defence. s devices, systems and processes become increasingly digitalised and interconnected, the Internet of Things (IoT) opens a wealth of opportunities for consumer products, connected wearables, home automation and connected health etc. However, they also present a cyberattack opportunity for criminals.

The introduction of the NIS Directive (security of network and information systems) in Europe is intended to improve this situation, but uptake is slow, as is the introduction of the standards required to assist in improving cyber security. However, standards do exist or are

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being developed by international organisations aimed at providing baseline protection, which would help to deliver basic security provisions as a first line in cyber defence. Examples include, not having default passwords or ensuring that a device’s software can be updated ‘over the air’.

Globally accepted standards provide a basis for mutual understanding and create an effective medium for communication. If all stakeholders are working to the same standard, this promotes interactivity and interoperability. Standards in IoT apply to many different

AUTOMATION, IOT & SMART TECH

Two important documents that are presently in use, which specifically relate to IoT devices, are Guidelines document NIST.IR 8259 (US) and the Standard EN 303 645 (EU). The EN 303 645 covers only consumer products, whereas the scope of NIST.IR 8259 is not confined to consumer products and its general principles can therefore be applied to help demonstrate a baseline of cybersecurity protection for any IoT product.

Although legislation has yet to be introduced in Europe, assessment can still be performed using the EN 303 645 standard. An accompanying document, TS 103 701, provides a test methodology to be used. However, in the near future this may change as more standards are developed.

Also, now that the UK has left the EU, it is preparing new legislation derived from the EN 303 645 standard, and this is strengthened by the recent introduction of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill (PSTI), and it will be initially limited to three security requirements: • A ban on universal default passwords in consumer smart products • The implementation of means to manage reports of vulnerabilities • Transparency as to how long a product will receive security updates. areas and disciplines, however, but two important areas are protocols and security.

The protocol standards are developed so that technologies from different manufacturers can interoperate and communicate. For example, two Bluetooth headsets from different manufacturers can both communicate with ease to the same mobile handset because they have followed the same standards. Standardisation in cybersecurity sets a baseline for applying the same set of rules to determine a basic protection provision and a means of assessing threat resilience.

The European Union’s Cybersecurity Act - Regulation 2019/881 is already in place and has two main objectives. Firstly, strengthening the mandate of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), which contributes to cyber policy; enhances the trustworthiness of products, services, operational cooperation; and promotes knowledge. Secondly, it aims to establish an EU-wide cybersecurity framework.

Manufacturers should also consider their own cybersecurity programmes as there are other options outside the present standards landscape As for impending legislation, it has recently been announced that Articles 3.3(d)(e) & (f) of the Radio Equipment Directive have been adopted, paving the way for further cybersecurity standardisation. While this is currently being reviewed, the most likely approach will be to require that radio equipment incorporates safeguards that ensure the personal data and privacy of the user and subscriber are protected, and that radio equipment supports certain features ensuring protection from fraud. It would also mean that radio equipment would need to support features that ensure that software can only be loaded into the radio equipment once the compliance of the combination of the radio equipment and software has been demonstrated.

Ongoing investment in cybersecurity is therefore crucial to keep up with technological development, as cybercriminals rapidly develop new forms of attack There are other existing standards which are aimed at improving security from network infrastructure to devices. For example, it is possible that industrial IoT devices and systems could be certified under the IEC 62443 series of standards, as part of a larger installation.

This standard series addresses security for industrial automation and control systems (IACS).

Although it may seem that the standards do not cover everything, they do at least offer a first line of defence from cyberattack. However, manufacturers should also consider their own cybersecurity programmes as there are other options outside the present standards landscape. This includes more stringent, bespoke testing or “penetration testing” and the necessity to think “secure by design” from the onset and take a proactive approach to cybersecurity by recognising that attacks are “when not if ”.

Threat resilience should also be an iterative task. Not all threats may have been discovered during the first assessment. It is therefore very important to ensure up to date compliance with all standards and constantly review your ‘cyber resistance’ status. Ongoing investment in cybersecurity is therefore crucial to keep up with technological development, as cybercriminals rapidly develop new forms of attack. Tackling the problems of cybersecurity risks can therefore only be realised by comprehensive planning, periodic evaluation, updates and monitoring. This must be done continuously, from design through to obsolescence.

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CABLES & CABLE MANAGEMENT

Going underground. Protecting critical cabling for EV charging points No matter how many chargers are installed, they need to work reliably, that’s why protecting the cabling should be of utmost importance, according to Alex Smith, Technical Director at Flexicon.

he government has set ambitious targets to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with the aim of moving the UK to an all-electric fleet as part of a package of green initiatives.

According to Which, most electric car charging happens at people’s homes, but not every household has a driveway. It states that ‘to help make electric cars a viable option for more UK consumers, the public charging network needs to become larger, simpler and much more accessible than it is today.’

Major and ongoing investment in the UK’s electric vehicle charging

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capability will be required over the coming years. While the Government has outlined some new investment in electric charging points, including grants of up to £14,000 for businesses, serious consideration must be given to the longevity of the electric cable infrastructure supporting these installations.

According to Gov.uk, charge point reliability can be poor, with on average one in every 25 charge points out of service. Vandalism is also a potential growing concern, with many drivers reporting that when they do find an accessible charge point, that it is waiting for repair.

This, coupled with a serious shortfall in the number of charge points

CABLES & CABLE MANAGEMENT

available – forecasts suggest at least more than 10 times the current number will be required by 2030 – it is easy to see why motorists are frustrated with the lack of reliability and accessibility.

So, what cable protection considerations do the electrical contractors that will be tasked with installing the nation’s EV charging infrastructure need to consider? Well, we will cover areas such as resistance to compression, speed of installation, material specification and ingress protection (IP) ratings.

Charge point reliability can be poor, with on average one in every 25 charge points out of service Reliability is key for a growing market In its report published on November 22, 2021, the Department for Transport states that there are 650,000 plug-in vehicles already on UK roads, 250,000 home and workplace chargers and 26,000 public charge points already available in the UK. It goes on to outline the Government’s vision to ‘put in place a regulatory framework for charging that supports a nationwide network of reliable, accessible and easy-to-use infrastructure.’

It is this area of reliability that will be a key issue for the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, if the Government is to enable a network that is robust and fit for purpose.

Protecting electrical cabling for longevity The correct solution can be instrumental in protecting uptime and avoiding unnecessary cost. Cable protection should be specified as a complete end-to-end system, considering not only the flexible conduit used, but the range of termination and fittings used too.

One of the first areas to consider is the range of external hazards that the cables and infrastructure may encounter. In most applications, the EV charging point will be installed outside and exposed to the elements, with the electricity supplied through cables running underground.

These cables will typically be buried in concrete, with a platform or precast slab supporting the charging point above. The flexible conduit solution specified must therefore have excellent resistance to compression, as well as considering the highly corrosive nature of the concrete itself.

Polypropylene conduit can be an ideal option in this scenario, as opposed to metallic systems. With high impact strength and abrasion resistance, the material also provides good electrical insulation and weathering qualities.

Of particular importance is the conduit’s resistance to corrosion. This can occur if the concrete starts to degrade through exposure to chlorides present in water or through carbonation, which affects the natural alkalinity of the concrete.

Polypropylene conduits are proven to offer excellent chemical resistance, particularly to aqueous solutions of alkalis and salts present in this scenario.

Ingress protection The network of public EV charging points will also be subjected to a range of other environmental factors.

Exposure to water ingress and extreme temperatures are commonplace and the effects of these can result in premature product failure, which in turn leads to increased downtime and operating costs.

The BS7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations specify that socket outlets should be placed at a height of 0.5 to 1.5 metres from the ground. To prevent external influences, cable protection could be added to enhance protection in the presence of water or solid foreign bodies above the IP44 minimum requirement.

If specified correctly, there are a range of suitable flexible conduit system alternatives that can offer effective cable protection.

Of course, not all EV charging points are intended for use by the general public, with some businesses starting to take advantage of the Government’s grant scheme and installing wall or surface mounted units for their employees.

Simpler to install, cabling for these units may be run through an external wall, using mechanically protected cabling such as SWA cabling.

Metallic systems can provide rugged mechanical protection, with IP54 or IP65 for greater ingress protection combined with high flexibility. This can be further uprated by using liquid tight conduits for IP68 and IP69.

Retrofitting options As the EV charging network becomes more established, installed units – and their electrical cabling – will require routine maintenance to ensure ongoing reliability.

This may require cable protection to be upgraded; traditionally a complex and lengthy task, with the installer required to pull existing cabling through the open end of a conduit system.

Divisible conduits are now making retrofitting much simpler. They allow existing cabling to be inserted laterally via a slit opening, which then interlocks to form a protected IP40 system around the cables for enhanced mechanical protection.

Cable protection should be specified as a complete end-to-end system, considering not only the flexible conduit used, but the range of termination and fittings used too Building a resilient network for the future As well as protecting the electric cabling running underground, it is likely that flexible conduit suppliers will play an increasingly important role in protecting the electric cables within the charging unit itself, working alongside manufacturers and OEMs. Composite products such as plastic sheathing on metal conduits to increase the ingress protection, or metal over-braiding on non-metallic corrugated for EMC, or metal threads on plastic fittings can offer the ideal combination of light weight, high strength, and fast installation.

In conclusion, electrical contractors should discuss the range of options available with their cable protection supplier, who can advise on the most appropriate conduit system for the environment, based on the hazards the charge point will be exposed to.

www.electricalreview.co.uk 17

CABLES & CABLE MANAGEMENT

Cable management’s role in infection control

When it comes to environments where infection control is needed, Barry Roberts, national specification manager at MarshallTufflex, explains how the specification of antimicrobial cable trunking systems can help to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria. he Covid-19 pandemic has certainly brought the conversation around hygiene and infection control to the foreground when it comes to all aspects of building specification. However, the topic is not new, particularly in the healthcare sector, where the potential transmission of pathogens must be managed and reduced in order to protect vulnerable patients.

Indeed, the US’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies high-touch surfaces in healthcare environments as vessels that pose serious risk in contributing to the transmission of infections and disease – simply by either the patient, visitors or healthcare personnel touching a contaminated surface.

Exposed surfaces such as cable management perimeter trunking are prone to regular contact and can harbour bacteria if they are not cleaned

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regularly and should be considered as a high-touch surface within any hygiene audit.

In a post Covid-19 world, building owners and commercial landlords, not just those in the healthcare sector, are looking to ensure their premises attract tenants, with occupiers in return, scrutinising the hygiene measures in place that provide a safe environment in which to spend time. With this in mind, it is important that electrical professionals understand how cable management solutions can contribute to a scheme that demands improved hygiene.

Where the formula has been added as a coating at the post-production stage, any scratches or damage to the trunking will expose areas where bacteria can survive and multiply Antimicrobial systems There are cable management products with antimicrobial properties available on the market, which can help to stop the growth of bacteria

CABLES & CABLE MANAGEMENT

and the chance of it being transmitted between building occupants.

Leading manufacturers offer such solutions within their portfolio, by applying a silver ingredient to offer this functionality.

A well-documented and effective form of continual antimicrobial protection, silver has been used for wound care for thousands of years.

For cable management products specifically, this ingredient disrupts the key cell functions of bacteria and prevents them from reproducing on the surface of PVC-U or ABS trunking. In fact, the presence of silver ions in trunking material has been proven to reduce bacteria, including MRSA and E. coli, from surviving on the surface by 99.9%.

It is clear that antimicrobial trunking solutions can offer clients with the reassurance they are increasingly looking for when it comes to designing and installing hygienic schemes. When combined with a robust cleaning regime, cable management products with antimicrobial properties can protect those using the building from the risks of bacteria spreading, but it’s important to note that different manufacturing methods will impact the levels of protection, durability and longevity of each product.

Lasting protection For a more reliable and long-lasting protection solution, professionals should look for products where the silver ion formulation has been added to the PVC-U during the manufacturing process, rather than applied to the surface post-production.

For example, where the formula has been added as a coating at the post-production stage, any scratches or damage to the trunking, which is a likely occurrence in high traffic and busy environments, will expose areas where bacteria can survive and multiply. Conversely, manufacturing the silver ions as integral to the product during production means that any scuffs or abrasions will not compromise the product’s antimicrobial properties or reduce the effectiveness of the trunking throughout its life.

In a post Covid-19 world, building owners and commercial landlords, not just those in the healthcare sector, are looking to ensure their premises attract tenants, with occupiers in return, scrutinising the hygiene measures in place To ensure the quality and performance of the product, any antimicrobial trunking systems specified should be manufactured in line with the ISO 22196:2011 standard and be compliant with the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD). For further protection, the design and shape of the trunking should also be considered, as products with a smooth surface and minimal corners and crevices are impossible to clutter and allow necessary regular cleaning operations to be easily maintained.

To meet Approved Document M of the Building Regulations, which advises that face plates around electrical sockets differ in colour from their background to aid those with any visual impairment, look for solutions where coloured accessory boxes are available with bio properties, as part of the range.

Covid-19 has propelled demand for creating hygienic environments and minimising the spread of bacteria. While commonly chosen for healthcare settings, antimicrobial trunking solutions can be applied across a variety of sectors where hygiene is a focus, such as high traffic and public buildings, education environments and office space, as well as sports centres, leisure facilities and gyms.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Leading the charge Griff Thomas, Managing Director of GTEC, explains how electricians can upskill for the electrification of the heating and transport sectors. s we edge closer to our 2030 target for ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, the electric vehicle market is booming.

The urgent need for charging infrastructure to support this growth offers new business opportunities for those in the electrical sector, particularly as it could also lead to a rise in other electrical technologies, such as domestic battery storage systems and solar PV. According to the latest statistics, 18.5% of new cars sold in 2021 were ‘plug-ins’ making it another bumper year for sales. Alongside the rapid development of renewable heating technologies, an exciting vision of the future is starting to emerge where those with electrical skills will be in high demand.

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Electrical engineers looking to expand could provide a whole building approach To achieve net zero by 2050, the UK must electrify two of its most carbon intensive sectors – heating and transport. According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) this would involve up to 9 million electric and plug-in hybrid cars and vans by 2025, rising to 37 million by 2035 and up to 2 million heat pumps by 2025, rising to 15 million by 2035.

We could soon see a rise in electric self-sufficiency, with heating and hot water requirements met through super-efficient electric heat pumps and solar thermal, solar panels on the roof and surplus electricity stored in a home battery system or used to charge an EV. EV opportunities We’re waiting to hear further news from the government about its intention to mandate EV charging points in new homes starting this year (2022). This would equate to around 145,000 new domestic charging points each year, but Ofgem predicts we need far more than this – around 19 million by 2035 to meet demand.

Electricians are perfectly placed to deliver EV charging points, which could soon become part of their domestic electrical service. There is also a strong commercial demand from ‘destinations’ such as hotels, restaurants, retail parks and gyms. EV charging will soon be standard in public locations, so many businesses are investing now to gain the edge over their competitors as the market grows.

Training is a relatively quick upskill for engineers with experience of electrical installations, and associated inspection and testing. Training providers will offer the LCL Awards Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging course which covers the installation of dedicated conductive charging equipment for the charging of pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric road vehicles (PHEV) and includes the extended range of electric vehicles (E-REV).

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Successful candidates will be trained and qualified to prepare, design and install EV charge points in dwellings and commercial and industrial locations, including inspection, testing and complete handover to the client.

Electrification of heat EVs fit perfectly alongside electrical heating technologies, a theory that is being tested this year on a mass scale.

A testbed scheme of carbon-negative homes, built by developer St Modwen, will explore the potential of electric technologies in affordable developments. The new-build homes, near Gatwick, will feature a combination of air source heat pumps, smart hot water tanks connected to solar PV panels, 2.6 KWh battery systems and EV chargers. It is thought that these technologies, alongside improvements to the fabric and ventilation of the buildings, could reduce household energy bills by at least 52%.

If the scheme is successful, we could see accelerated deployment of these technologies in new builds. Electrical engineers looking to expand could provide a whole building approach, installing a range of electrical technologies to improve the efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Solar PV and EVs are a match made in heaven. With a suitably designed solar energy system on the roof, homeowners can effectively generate ‘free’ power for their home and fuel for their car. Depending on lifestyle and location, homeowners with solar PV could expect to see installation costs paid back in around 15 years.

Homeowners can get paid for exports through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) but it’s more cost-effective to use generated electricity, which is when having an EV charge point in the garage can really pay off.

Consumers can apply for funding for a domestic charge point through the OLEV scheme.

By thinking outside the box and embracing new technologies and training, electricians have the opportunity to build an exciting business that is well placed to prosper in the low-carbon society A Level 3 qualification in Solar PV Installation is ideal for experienced electrical engineers who want to expand into this evolving and lucrative area. An LCL Awards course provides the knowledge and practical skills to safely design, install and maintain solar energy systems and apply for MCS certification – a must for small-scale renewables installers.

Electrical energy storage – the future?

Energy storage is an emerging market that has seen rapid growth in recent years. It offers great potential for both small-scale residential systems and at grid level, playing a vital role in smart energy management.

Residential electrical energy storage systems (EESS) are gaining momentum in Germany, where around 270,000 households are reaping the benefits of solar panels and battery storage. In 2020, around 70% of solar PV installations in Germany included EESS.

For climate-conscious consumers who have already invested in renewable systems, battery storage offers the potential to become more self-sufficient, using all the electricity they generate, while in many cases retaining Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments.

Last year, GTEC launched one of the first Level 3 EESS qualifications covering all the key requirements for the installation of EESS, including identification of equipment, arrangements and operating modes, design, installation, initial verification and handover. Candidates will benefit from the latest thinking around battery storage technology, enabling them to design more efficient renewable energy systems that reduce reliance on the grid and reduce energy bills.

We are moving towards a low-carbon society that relies on electricity for all its basic needs – from heating to transport and industry. By thinking outside the box and embracing new technologies and training, electricians have the opportunity to build an exciting business that is well placed to prosper in the low-carbon society.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

A whole new world

Julian Boneham, Data Practice Director at Node4, navigates us through the whole new world of electric vehicles and all the supporting technologies. ollowing the biggest year of UK electric vehicle consumer market sales and the COP26 climate conference, 2022 will be a defining year for EVs to prove themselves.

Fully electric vehicles outsold diesels for several months in 2021, with 2022 projected to be the first full year that trend holds. A total of 260,000 electric cars (not including hybrids) are expected to outsell a projected 221,000 diesel models, according to the UK automotive trade body The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

With the UK planning to phase out internal combustion engine cars by 2035, improvement in EV support infrastructure is a critical focus area, and providers are jostling for position.

Foundations for EV charging infrastructure Finding the right technical skills and expertise to partner with is vital to navigate the continually evolving EV charging infrastructure market landscape. There’s no time to waste under-delivering on technology when increasingly tech-savvy customers demand a service that’s rapid, relevant, seamless and future-proof.

A boom in charging points to support vehicle sales is also expected.

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Between the end of 2016 and 2020, there was an increase of 220% in the number of public chargers, which according to Zap-Map stands at 28,804 in the UK in January 2022.

The EV industry has a way to go to reassure prospective vehicle owners of the quality of service in their greener choices and that they can effectively charge a vehicle in a single stop. With a variety of charging choices on offer, the supporting technology for app and charging services must fulfil three vital criteria: 1. Service availability Trust is a key element for drivers of EVs, as many are making their first foray into this new territory. Drivers lack patience for apps and services which aren’t seamless and always available, meaning charging technology must be highly available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Service providers need a guaranteed charging service by hosting core IT in a highly available environment of their choice. At least >99.99% uptime and 24/7 support is vital to remedy any customer issues and maintain brand reputation.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

2. Technology performance The biggest key differentiator between charging services is the speed of charging. Sometimes EV infrastructure providers experience their service performance lagging once they outgrow their initial IT setup. Both slow charging times and problematic apps can lead to customer loss.

Enhancing integrations, overhauling connectivity, or moving to host your apps on the cloud can make a huge difference, to ensure a service that’s fit for purpose and scalable. A tech partner offering a consultative audit will assess the provider’s current and future needs to ensure core IT infrastructure meets the needs to remain competitive and deliver better service outcomes.

3. Change resiliency EV infrastructure supporting technology must be adaptable and scalable to market demands. A technology roadmap needs to be in place to account for utilising the provider’s data (analysing customer preferences for how often and where they want to charge their EV). Only through gaining a full understanding of a provider’s customer behaviour through the app can you enable the right choices for technology investment.

Partnering with the right tech provider for digital expertise An experienced technology partner with knowledge of a digital transformation framework for the EV charging infrastructure market will best support a provider which needs to navigate the complexity of new technologies and developments. Key objectives should be building resiliency into the core IT infrastructure, reducing complexity, and forming a totally connected, high visibility ecosystem, to deliver better service outcomes.

Here are some key traits and skills to help find a serious contender: • Experience with similar customers With a unique set of demands and a propensity for rapid scaling and operational evolvement, a tech partner should understand digital transformation in this specific market. Proven experience of working with similar organisations will build the right solutions, to avoid being their guinea pig for navigating challenges.

• A good cultural fit You want the absolute most value from your digital transformation partner, without spending so much time and bandwidth that your strategic work suffers. A cultural fit comes down to not just your project lead and account manager, but the strategic vision and company ethos for getting things done. You’ll want a partner with agility, who is strategic and shares your environmental, social, and governance values to make change happen.

• A deeper level of account management Solutions must perform technically while also being aligned to strategic objectives. A strategic partner with a vision and roadmap will be invested in delivering the end goal. Collaboratively working to make improvements in tech performance, longevity and cost-efficiency is a requirement. Ask about their account management process and customer references. Putting clear and measurable service-level agreements in place will hold them accountable for delivery.

• Future-proof solutions A partner that shows an interest in new emerging solutions is important, especially in areas of data science and automation, to design a tech ecosystem that can flex and grow. A high calibre partner will invest in Azure, data analytics and transition to hybrid cloud platforms. As data volumes increase, having a data strategy is vital to use advanced analytics to generate business insight.

• Solid technical accreditations, especially in hybrid platforms As a critical service, EV charging points, apps and other infrastructure must be highly available and performing 24/7. The supporting technology for your infrastructure must be highly resilient with optimised connectivity and exceptional support and managed services built-in.

Look out for technical accreditations, such as Azure accreditations for a hybrid cloud environment and the best possible levels of vendor support escalation and alignment.

Because of the bullet point nature of this article, no pull quotes please. It would break up the article even more than it already is • Security accreditations that align with your risks Security should be built into all IT services which means your tech partner’s security credentials are vital. EV market suppliers are likely to be key ransomware targets, and with many customer touchpoints comes increased vulnerability. Ensure that your partner has a mature Security Operations Centre (SOC) in place, with accreditations for data protection, regulatory compliance, payment processing, cyber threat prevention and disaster recovery.

• Demonstrable, sound financial backing The financial profile of your partner is important when delivering a robust digital transformation plan. Checking their financial health includes where their investment comes from and about key stakeholders. Strong financial credentials are a key indicator of long-term partner potential.

• A proactive onboarding process How a partner conducts their onboarding process is reflective of their general performance. It’s worth asking about this process, focusing on implementation periods, phased approaches, project management and deliverables. A set of first steps should be available from day one of working together, to avoid lags and set a new energy for the business.

Being in ‘charge’ of your technology destiny means sharing goals and responsibilities with an expert technology provider who shares your culture for change. With 2022 set to see an uptick in momentum for more mainstream EV adoption, providers who form strong technology partnerships, with high standards in place across the board, will be the winners.

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POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION

One little spark Andrea Donadel, SVP Strategy, Power Products at Schneider Electric, offers some valuable insight into the crucial steps we need to take to innovate the electrical distribution sector. lectrical distribution is easily overlooked in daily life. It’s out of sight and out of mind – electrical equipment is concealed within unassuming metal boxes and substations, while transmission lines run under our streets or are suspended above them. It can be easy to forget that it is one of the key elements of the electrified world, a fact we are reminded of when the lights go out or something goes wrong.

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Like the myriad of tiny blood vessels in the body that deliver oxygen and nutrients to key organs, electrical distribution takes place across a network of electrical products and solutions that connect energy producers and grids with energy consumers and prosumers, who have the ability to generate their own energy. It works without most of us having to think about it.

The way this network operates is undergoing a transition, however.

POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION

Traditionally, power production and distribution has been centralised, with major power stations sharing power via grids. But the way that electricity is generated and consumed is becoming increasingly decentralised and software-driven, in part to meet the variety of challenges we face in our attempts to reach net zero carbon emissions.

Find the spark If bidirectional, decentralised energy grids are the secret to powering our future, we need the motivation and sparks of inspiration to drive an ambitious cycle of innovation for delivering them. This means challenging the status quo, forging new partnerships and drawing from the things that inspire us most.

Like the myriad of tiny blood vessels in the body that deliver oxygen and nutrients to key organs, electrical distribution takes place across a network of electrical products I personally find that connecting with nature reminds me of the importance of creating more sustainable ways of generating and distributing energy. Outdoor activities like skiing or biking in particular bring us together in natural environments, perhaps even giving us the drive to create solutions that safeguard our precious planet.

Wherever we find the motivation to change the world for the better, we must channel it into the areas most instrumental in the ongoing energy transition. To decentralise the electricity distribution sector, we will need microgrids that leverage hybrid AC/DC innovation, improvements to energy storage to empower prosumers to generate electricity of their own, and digital transformation powered by IoT enablement within our infrastructure.

Break down the AC/DC divide with hybrid innovation Hybrid AC/DC microgrids do away with the century-old battle of currents, harnessing the best of alternating and direct current solutions to power the homes, offices, data centres and electric vehicles of the future. Since solar photovoltaic applications generate electricity in DC form, we will see rapid growth in DC technologies that leverage renewables to power decentralised distribution systems.

To get there, electricians and engineers will need to acquire new tools and skill sets to future-proof electrical distribution. It is no longer a question of AC or DC, but rather how we can best use both currents in synergy – an energy system may use AC current supplied by a wind farm or even one of the new micro nuclear reactors, while also employing DC solutions to efficiently generate and consume solar energy within local communities and commercial buildings. We shouldn’t forget about the expected rise in DC loads – with anything that works off a battery – electric cars, bikes, our laptops all natively consuming DC. This combination of AC and DC is one area where the shared expertise and innovation of industry professionals will be critical to spearheading our transition towards net zero.

Turn energy consumers into prosumers with storage solutions Energy storage is another key piece of this puzzle. Think about all those EVs around that are just big batteries on wheels. As more renewable energy is generated by prosumers in decentralised networks, the ability to efficiently store that energy either for future use or to be shared with peers via microgrids will be crucial.

Since there will inevitably be peaks and troughs in both energy demand and the generation of renewables – for example based on the amount of sunlight available at different times of day – we need batteries with the capacity to store the electricity generated at peak times for use at times where less is readily available.

If we focus our innovative spark on improving storage solutions, increasing their capacity and efficiency, we can empower a new generation of prosumers to not only take control of their own energy generation and consumption needs, but also to actively contribute to their wider local energy networks using the latest in decentralised electricity distribution technologies.

IoT enablement can connect the dots While hybrid current and storage innovation will make our electrical distribution sector more efficient and decentralised, IoT solutions will allow us to make our infrastructure more intelligent and flexible. By introducing open IoT-enabled architecture and new wireless hardware, we can create digitised electrical distribution systems that are more resilient and sustainable.

The benefits of IoT enablement for businesses, consumers, and, crucially, the planet cannot be overstated. The ability to leverage IoT data to optimise processes means that systems can be run more efficiently, while reducing downtime due to device-led outages – something that can be costly, or even dangerous. By pioneering innovation in IoT, we can create more connected and reliable electrical distribution networks.

To decentralise the electricity distribution sector, we will need microgrids that leverage hybrid AC/DC innovation, improvements to energy storage to empower prosumers to generate electricity of their own Innovation will ignite smart electrification There are a range of energy distribution solutions that we can use to achieve a more sustainable future, powered by smart and clean electricity. But to get there it will take all of our own energy and ingenuity. We need to come together and find better ways to create and share energy, having the conversations and interactions required to find that spark of innovation that will change the way we power our increasingly digital and electrified world for the better.

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Getting the most out of your maintenance Regular maintenance is crucial to the reliability of your vital UPS systems, but Chris Cutler of Riello UPS warns not all maintenance contracts are created equally and offers some top tips to ensure you get the best possible coverage.

ninterruptible power supplies (UPS) provide invaluable peace of mind that if there’s any disruption to the mains electricity, your vital equipment has the emergency backup needed to keep on running.

Whether it’s a mission-critical setting, such as a data centre or hospital, or protecting IT equipment and devices in home offices up and down the country, a UPS is proven to be the best defence against unplanned downtime.

But a UPS is a sophisticated piece of machinery in its own right, costing anywhere from a few hundred pounds for a small, plug-and-play domestic unit to tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds for a larger commercial installation.

To get the most out of such a significant investment you need to look after it. How well maintained a UPS is has a big impact on its reliability, performance and eventual lifespan.

But wear and tear over time is inevitable. Parts and components will need replacing. And no piece of electrical equipment is ever infallible – at some point, your UPS is likely to break down or malfunction.

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Why maintenance matters New UPS systems are covered by warranties. In fact, much of Riello UPS’s range comes with an extended five-year warranty as standard.

But even with a warranty, you’ll only get a ‘best endeavour’ response if something goes wrong. You could still be waiting a while for things to get fixed.

That’s why many organisations opt for the safety net of an ongoing maintenance plan. A maintenance agreement sets out the emergency response time it’ll take for engineers to attend the site when something goes wrong. It will cover whether consumables like capacitors and fans are included and if you’ll have to pay for parts and labour.

It’ll also include the provision for at least one service visit a year. These Preventive Maintenance Visits (PMV) are the equivalent of an annual service on your car or boiler. Engineers will identify any parts that might need replacing, carry out little performance tweaks, and install the latest software updates.

Such a proactive approach to UPS maintenance not only reduces your risk of experiencing a costly failure. It also ensures your UPS runs

SPONSORED FEATURE

more efficiently, which in turn cuts your power consumption and energy bills. In addition, it can increase the service life of some components by 25-50%, which lengthens the lifespan of your whole system and helps optimise the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Not all contracts are created equally Unfortunately, not all UPS maintenance contracts are the same. Some are better than others. And sadly some agreements aren’t even worth the paper they’re written on, full of get-out clauses, caveats, and confusing terms and conditions.

Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s essential to do your due diligence and get clarity on several key points. The most important of these is something we’ve already briefly touched on – the emergency response time you’ll get when there’s a fault with your UPS. Most maintenance providers claim to offer 24/7/365 coverage with a range of response times from 12 working hours down to four clock hours for the most urgent cases. But does what you’re being promised live up to expectations?

What actually constitutes the ‘response’? Is it just a brief phone call with tech support, or even worse, an automated message simply acknowledging you’ve reported the issue? Or is it a trained and experienced engineer on-site and working to fix the fault?

And even if you get a rapid response, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the problem fixed quickly. Does your maintenance company have speedy access to spare parts? It’s no good to you if the necessary components aren’t in stock or if they’re hundreds of miles away – the cost of downtime quickly adds up.

On far too many occasions customers have been let down by their UPS maintenance companies without any real consequences, as they’re tied into restrictive contracts with long notice periods and limited options in terms of recourse.

Doing things differently That’s where Riello UPS takes a different approach to the rest of the industry. It’s another way of doing things. And it’s a better way.

Over the past three decades, Riello UPS has developed a hardearned reputation as one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers of UPS and other standby power systems from 400VA to 6.4MVA, with an award-winning product range including solutions for powering the smallest desktop PCs through to the latest data centre servers and supercomputers.

Our products combine engineering excellence with high performance and energy efficiency, and they are backed up by dedicated pre and postsales support from an in-house technical team brimming with industry experience and expertise.

Riello UPS maintenance plans are renowned throughout the industry for their transparency and clarity. Our plans aren’t ‘one size fits all’ contracts, they are tailored to the specific needs of each and every customer.

We’re upfront and honest about what’s included (i.e. parts, labour) and just as importantly what isn’t covered. These service level agreements with substance are fair, transparent, and have meaning, so when you sign on the dotted line you can be sure about what you’re getting.

And unlike other providers, there are no automatic contract renewals, it’s entirely the customer’s choice.

Jewel in the crown Riello UPS offers a range of guaranteed emergency response times to suit your needs, starting with 12 or eight working hours, all the way down to same-day four clock hours for sites that demand the speediest solution.

But for our most mission-critical customers, such as data centre operators, even that wasn’t quite enough. So we listened and came up with the ultimate insurance for when downtime simply isn’t an option: Diamond UPS maintenance.

Our pioneering Diamond plan goes above and beyond the industry norm, making us the first UK-based UPS company to commit to not only a guaranteed response time but a fix time too.

So you’ll get a fully-trained, certified engineer on site within four clock hours of reporting the fault, plus a pledge to repair the issue inside a further eight hours.

And because we back up our words with actions, if for any reason we can’t meet these challenging targets, we’ll pay you compensation for the inconvenience.

The Diamond plan also incorporates our cloud-based remote monitoring platform Riello Connect, which offers round the clock protection and analysis to aid performance and proactively identify issues before they become critical.

Leading the way The premium Diamond plan has already proven extremely popular with data centre operators and managers of other similarly critical facilities.

It gives them that invaluable reassurance that they’re doing everything possible to protect their critical power supplies at all times.

Diamond builds on all the other qualities and characteristics that have seen Riello UPS maintenance contracts set the industry standard.

We have the country’s biggest stock of UPS, spares, and components.

This multi-million-pound stockholding isn’t just stored at our HQ in North Wales, but at several strategic hubs throughout the UK. So if the worst happens and you have a fault, we can get spare parts or even replacement UPSs to you within a few hours of an issue being reported.

Incidentally, apart from batteries and capacitors, all replacement parts and components are covered as standard under Riello UPS maintenance plans, including replacement fans, which isn’t the case with most other providers.

All Riello UPS service engineers, whether our in-house team or from our network of authorised service partners, must successfully complete a challenging Certified Engineer training programme and undertake regular refresher courses. This ensures they are fully competent and experienced with the UPSs they’re working on, so you can guarantee they’re 100% up to the task at hand.

When it comes to the upkeep of your vital UPS systems, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best. And by choosing Riello UPS, you’re partnering with a proven track record of excellence and added value that gives you the long-lasting peace of mind that your critical power is protected at all times.

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TEST & MEASUREMENT

The New Year will bring a suite of new challenges for power grid operators Petri Rauhakallio, VP customer operations at Sharper Shape, shares lessons that could be learned from the US and how technology could supercharge the testing and inspection of power lines. t has been a turbulent year for the US power grid, where, in February of 2021, Texas suffered statewide power outages due to inadequately winterised natural gas equipment, and in Northern California, the Dixie fire caused one fatality, burned 963,309 acres and destroyed at least 1,300 buildings while expelling high volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. So, it stands to reason that 2022 will see North America’s power grid radically upgraded to shoulder more responsibilities and achieve greater resilience than ever before.

A major upgrade and extension of power lines will be needed to achieve the US target of decarbonising the grid by 2035. The US Infra-

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structure Bill provides $7 billion in funding and regulatory reforms to help enable flexible long-distance, high-voltage interstate power lines.

The aim is to transform the US power grid into an interconnected ‘system of systems’, where electricity can be seamlessly moved between states in the event of local wind or solar power shortages. Long-distance transmission lines will also connect the grid to many more remote, rural green energy sources. This will also vastly expand the array of powerline infrastructure that requires inspection and maintenance.

At the same time, 2022 brings growing challenges to grid resilience.

Last year, the average American home endured more than eight hours without power, according to the US Energy Information Administration – more than double the outage time five years ago. So, the pressure is on for utilities.

An extended challenge The Infrastructure Bill’s funding to allow the upgrade of and extend transmission lines will require a parallel transformation of powerline inspection to monitor and manage a larger and more interdependent

TEST & MEASUREMENT

network. Reliance on intermittent energy sources will mean that energy providers will need to respond rapidly to provide power at great distances. What happens in one part of the grid will increasingly matter in other locations. An outage in one particular area could now affect not only that, but also its ability to play a role in the interconnection of other territories in the event of a solar or wind power shortage. Cumulatively, power lines must be inspected over greater range and with greater accuracy and frequency since each grid takes part in an even wider ecosystem.

Despite considerable advancements in technology, today’s powerline inspection methods are insufficient to meet the looming challenge.

Though new technologies are now emerging which could deliver an insurmountable boost to the scale, efficiency and accuracy of inspections, adoption remains a challenge for a traditionally conservative industry mired in old habits and a lagging pace of change.

From the ground up Manual inspectors have natural blind spots and relying on ground-level human teams can create corresponding blind spots across the network. For example, something like a planned maintenance on part of the powerline system could have much wider repercussions across a future interconnected grid ecosystem. With advancing technology, and automated aerial inspections capturing a richer and wider scope of visual data than teams restricted to ground-based perspective, it is possible to understand the effects of these small impacts on the wider network and react more quickly.

This too is applicable to vegetation management. A human inspection of tree species and associated powerline hazards are limited. Whereas artificial intelligence (AI) can be fed vast vegetation species databases alongside tailored hyperspectral data to detect and prioritise maintenance of potential network-wide hazards at far greater scale and speed.

Combined with thermal inspection and UV, this technology can outperform professional arborists and Qualified Electrical Workers (QEWs).

Going the distance Current inspection systems are also unable to keep up with the vastly expanded scale of networks envisaged by the recent Infrastructure Bill. For example, ground crews following the conventional inspection method of ‘walking the line’ can only cover around 10 miles per day.

Meanwhile a helicopter could cover 100-250 miles a day and drones can fly three times faster than manned aircraft. To put this into perspective, as a partner to utilities, Sharper Shape can inspect 25,000 miles of power lines in one month. Achieving this with conventional methods would take 24 full-time ground staff.

Conventional manual network inspection is also sequential and siloed with findings compiled after completion, rendering it cumbersome and slow to inspect vast networks. Live-feeding data from all inspection assets to a centralised Living Digital Twin would instead enable multiple features and factors to be examined in parallel, enabling inspections of vast networks and monitoring of the network risk model in real time. For example, when it comes to LiDAR technology, it takes just three minutes per mile of line corridor for AI inference.

AI also enables multiple factors to be considered in concert, from temperature and wind speed to the type, location and behaviour of vegetation near power lines. For example, data on high winds and warm temperatures could be matched with vegetation data to predict

and prevent fires by pinpointing areas and locations of concern. Data from multiple sources such as drone sensors and weather satellites could also be fed into 4D living digital twins to create rich multi-layered maps of networks modelling the impact of future scenarios such as floods or droughts.

Dissolving data silos With utilities faced with managing an exponentially expanding grid against a more diverse and fluctuating array of climate hazards, they need to integrate data from multiple sources. Just as the power grid will need to be more interconnected to prevent outages, utility data will also need to be more integrated.

Future technologies will facilitate sensor fusion where grid data from drones, helicopters or satellites are automatically integrated into a 4D living digital twin, providing rich, real-time oversight. Using this data-rich approach, network risk assessments and AI can be then used to better prioritise activities such as inspections and vegetation clearance. While many network maps are outdated and do not record recent upgrades or maintenance, digital twins would form a ‘living document’, recording risks, repairs or upgrades in real-time.

Conventional manual network inspection is also sequential and siloed with findings compiled after completion, rendering it cumbersome and slow to inspect vast networksv By helping to accurately pinpoint or predict hazards, damage or degradation, digital twins could enable inspection resources to be more efficiently targeted and drive ‘predictive maintenance’ of the grid.

Algorithms can then be applied to inspection data to help prioritise more critical issues and grid locations supporting critical services or key customers, thereby enabling the allocation of the maintenance budget to focus on optimally removing prioritised risks.

Crucially, in the event of extreme weather events or blackouts, digital twins can identify priority sites for emergency services or repair crews.

AI can also institutionalise insights from previous events, learning to associate specific ‘red flags’ with specific mitigation strategies. When this data is brought together by sensor fusion, AI algorithms will ultimately learn to predict and prevent blackouts, creating a virtuous circle where the grid grows more resilient from each hazard or fault.

New year, new techniques With the continuous expansion of critical infrastructure, people and places will require inspections to cover a greater array of infrastructure and hazards at higher speed than ever before. This requires inspection capabilities to be dramatically scaled up and improved through automated aerial inspection and the harnessing of AI platforms to deliver faster, smarter, data-driven decisions. AI can inspect networks at greater scale and speed than humans, remove human bias and error from critical network data and enable proactive and ultimately predictive maintenance and resilience.

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Following the success of our second annual Excellence Awards in 2019, we invite electrical manufacturers, contractors and project owners to enter the 2022 Awards.

The recipients of 2019 Awards included: TXplore robotic transformer inspection service – Entry by ABB Power Grids; UPS, temperature control, monitoring and diagnostics at Cineca, Italy - Entry by Vertiv; BS67 Smart Ceiling Rose - Entry by Adaptarose Ltd; University of Northampton - Entry by Simmtronic Lighting Control; The Hot Connection Indicator - Entry

by Safe Connect; Combined heat & power at DigiPlex Stockholm data centre - Entry by DigiPlex; Refurbished servers at WINDcores, Germany - Entry by Techbuyer; HyperPod Rack Ready Data Centre System - Entry by Schneider Electric; 4D Gatwick cooling upgrade - Entry by 4D Data Centres Ltd; Green Mountain Colocation Supplier - Entry by Green Mountain

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Contact us +44 (0) 207 062 2526 The Awards include the following categories: Power - Product of the Year - Sponsored by Omicron Power - Project of the Year - Sponsored by Omicron Lighting - Product of the Year Lighting - Project of the Year Fire Safety & Security - Product of the Year Fire Safety & Security - Project of the Year Energy Efficiency - Product of the Year Energy Efficiency - Project of the Year Innovative - Project of the Year Sustainable - Project of the Year Data Centre Design & Build - Product of the Year - Sponsored by Centiel Data Centre Design & Build - Project of the Year Data Centre Cooling - Product of the Year Data Centre Cooling - Project of the Year Data Centre Colocation - Supplier of the Year - Sponsored by Vertiv Technical Leader of the Year Consultancy/Contractor of the Year - Sponsored by ECA Outstanding Project of the Year - Sponsored by Riello UPS Outstanding Product of the Year - Sponsored by Riello UPS

Visit the website to check out this year’s awards and submit your entries by March 6, 2022.

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TALKING POINT

How BS 9251:2021 changes could save lives Kate Aldridge, Group Brand Manager at Power Control, explains how recent changes to BS 9251:2021, which make secondary power supplies mandatory, could quite literally save lives. he new BS 9251:2021 came into effect on June 30, 2021, and contains some quite significant changes that could see many landlords and residential building owners being caught out. The standard gives recommendations for sprinkler systems installed for life safety purposes with additional benefits for property protection.

The biggest update is the introduction of a new category of sprinkler system, category 4, which applies to residential and domestic buildings over 18 metres in height or above four storeys (whichever is shorter).

Sprinkler systems in this category should be ‘provided with a back-up power supply and automatic changeover functionality’. This means two power supplies should feed the sprinkler system. A mains supply as the primary power source, and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as a secondary power source, with an automatic transfer switch to transfer the load from mains to UPS in the event of a mains power failure while the sprinkler is in use.

Since the Grenfell tragedy in 2012, a lot of money has been spent on making high-rise buildings safer for their residents and those in the building. This has largely been achieved through regulatory updates surrounding life safety equipment.

Backup power supplies such as UPS systems are required on other life safety systems with recommended autonomies and runtimes, so it was only a matter of time before BS 9251 was also updated to include stricter safety recommendations for sprinkler systems.

A reliable power supply is critical during an emergency as most life safety systems are reliant upon electricity to operate. A drop or fluctuation in power could result in the failure of these critical systems resulting in a risk to life.

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The recent Storm Arwen showed just how vulnerable the mains power infrastructure is. As winds of over 98mph tore down power lines on November 26, over 3,000 residential buildings in the North East of England lost their power supply for over a week. By December 6, there were still 86 residential properties without power in Cumbria and 30 in Scotland.

Had there been an emergency such as a fire during this prolonged outage, those without a secondary power supply would have been without power to their life safety systems. Sprinklers would have been out of action putting the lives of residents at risk.

As Storm Barra hit the UK and Ireland on December 7, many more have been left without power with a danger to life in some parts due to the conditions. For owners of residential buildings, it is crucial to ensure residents are kept safe if a fire were to occur by keeping up to date and adhering to safety regulations such as BS 9251.

Residential property owners must also note that should a battery backup be used as the secondary power supply to support life safety systems; it should be compliant with BS EN 50171 regulation.

This standard sets out a requirement for a minimum of 120% permanent overload capacity, central power supply systems (CPSS) are specifically designed to meet this requirement as they have larger batteries, which gives them a much higher overload capacity.

Also set out in the EN50171 is the requirement for the batteries to have a 10-year design life and the charging current must have a 10-hour capacity (must be at least a C10 rated battery) with polarity reversal protection where reversed battery connections can be done without damage or impact.

Contractors, engineers, surveyors and architects are among a larger list of people who need to be aware of the amendments to the 2014 edition of BS 9251.

Although the amendment to BS9251:2021 only applies to new constructions, it is recommended that existing buildings update their sprinkler systems to ensure the safety of residents. It is important to consult with backup power specialists when retrospectively fitting a secondary power supply to ensure the correct one is specified to suit the exact needs of the infrastructure.

Explore Data Centre Review The leading publication and website focusing on the data centre industry DCR provides data centre, energy, facilities and building service managers and directors with expert information to enable them to keep data centre sites running effectively while ensuring availability.

The print publication is produced quarterly alongside its sister title Electrical Review and covers: • UPS & Standby Power • Cooling • Colocation & Outsourcing • Virtualisation & Cloud Computing • DCIM • Security • Edge Technology • Storage, Servers & Hardware • AI & Automation • Green IT & Sustainability • Data Centre Design & Build • Big Data & IoT

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If you have any content you would like to share with our editorial team, please contact Claire Fletcher, Editor at clairef@datacentrereview.com

For commercial and advertising enquires, please contact: Sunny Nehru Group Account Director +44 (0)207 933 8974 sunnyn@sjpbusinessmedia.com

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FINAL SAY

War of words What do we need to reach net zero? That’s the trillion dollar question, but it’s one that’s causing a lot of arguments across the European Union. Jordan O’Brien, Editor of Electrical Review, assesses the quarrel regarding what exactly ‘green’ means.

of green. That’s because the political body has proposed labelling both natural gas and nuclear energy as green sources of electricity, meaning they can both benefit from investment in green technologies as the world moves towards net zero.

Naturally, this has caused quite the stir. After all, how can natural gas or nuclear energy, both with their associated environmental disadvantages, be classed as green? Well, it turns out this has more to do with politics than climate science.

hen you think of green energy sources, you probably have visions of wind turbines, solar panels and hydroelectric facilities. These are sources of power that leverage readily available natural resources that don’t emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere, without fear that those resources are going to be depleted.

Of course, while that may be the common view of what’s ‘green’, there’s a storm brewing in the European Union over its proposed definition

Better the devil you know Let’s start with natural gas and its apparent ‘green’ credentials. Yes, we can admit that this is a preferable source of electricity production compared to coal power plants. But that’s damning with faint praise. The EU’s definition of ‘green’ is what will define future investment, and while it’s cleaner, should we be constructing environmentally damaging facilities that are likely to last decades?

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FINAL SAY

Thankfully, the European Union has a solution for this. It will only classify natural gas as green where it’s used as a ‘bridging fuel’, to be installed only where renewable energy sources – such as the aforementioned solar and wind farms – cannot currently create the capacity needed. That’s why the political bloc has proposed that any investment in natural gas will be subject to the promise that capacity will be switched to renewables or low carbon gases by a specific date.

However, what are the environmental impacts of this ‘bridging’ fuel?

Well, they’re pretty stark. More recent scientific studies have uncovered evidence that natural gas is far dirtier than initially thought, largely due to methane emissions lingering on in the atmosphere long after the plant has ceased operation.

While nuclear power plants may not have any direct emissions, something clearly smells off It’s not just from burning natural gas that’s the issue either. The industry estimates that there is around a 2% leakage of methane from natural gas power plants, which when released into the atmosphere is damaging to the Paris Climate Accord’s goal of keeping warming below 2°C. Without the phase out of natural gas, it’s unlikely that warming can be kept below that level.

But it’s only a bridging fuel I hear. The year is 2022, what exactly are we waiting for? It’s certainly not for renewable energy technologies to reach maturity, as the industry is already gearing up for an onslaught of renewables. Just look at Scotland where it recently approved 25GW of offshore electricity generation from offshore wind farms, which will more than triple the renewable capacity in the country.

Other countries could easily follow suit, but of course, gas power plants are required for the stability of the grid, right? Wrong. The majority of natural gas power stations utilise combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT); this cannot simply ramp up quickly, for that you’d need gas reciprocating engines (GRE) and open cycle gas turbines (OCGT), but even they’re slower than installing grid-scale energy storage.

Plus, do you really want to rely on a source of electricity which is liable to massive spikes in price based on the production of a finite resource, just ask those impacted by the current energy crisis.

Let’s go nuclear So, we’ve established that maybe natural gas isn’t the best option for going green, but what about nuclear? Nuclear is the reliable stalwart of the industry, it can produce massive amounts of electricity for years, has no direct CO2 emissions, and has been heralded by many in the industry as the safest bet if we’re to achieve net zero.

Those with the above views have clearly been smoking too much of whatever the nuclear industry has been selling, because while nuclear power plants may not have any direct emissions, something clearly smells off.

Now, I’m not going to tell you that nuclear energy is inherently unsafe. Events like Chernobyl and Fukushima are extremely unlikely, although if we were to have a competition, a wind farm is also less likely

to make an area inhabitable for years because of an accident. Although, that’s not even the thing we should be concerned about when it comes to nuclear energy.

Uranium mining, which is a huge part of nuclear energy, is still incredibly damaging for the environment, but arguably the longest lasting environmental impact from nuclear energy is in the waste that it produces. There is a huge operation involved in dealing with this waste, after all it’s highly radioactive and damaging to almost everything it touches. If improperly managed, it’s possible that nuclear waste could have a disastrous impact on the local environment, or worse leak into nearby waterways, and believe me, Blinky, the three-eyed fish from The Simpsons would be the least of our worries.

It’s for these reasons that Germany has been a vocal opponent of nuclear energy receiving the ‘green’ classification by the European Union, much to the chagrin of France, one of the technology’s biggest proponents. Austria has gone a step further than its neighbour, threatening the European Union with legal action if it continues with the proposals.

The two countries are correct in their assessments of nuclear energy, that while yes, on the face of it, it doesn’t produce any direct emissions, it is greener than what we have, but we can’t simply put aside the negatives for direct emissions. As Germany points out, “Serious accidents with large, cross-border and long-term hazards to humans and the environment cannot be excluded.”

So what’s the solution?

The European Union will probably proceed with the definitions as it has proposed, natural gas and nuclear energy will receive their green labelling, while activists will argue that the whole thing is ‘greenwashing’ on steroids. These silly arguments do nothing to actually solve the issues of the day – which is actually tackling climate change.

It’s time to stop playing ‘yeah, but’, and to start actually addressing the looming challenge ahead There is a whole host of cleaner renewable technologies available for countries within the EU to go all-in on. No one is saying close down all your polluting power plants immediately, but when it comes to future investment, this needs to be targeted at getting us to net zero as quickly as possible – and that can only be reliably done with other renewables.

Why suck up all the investment for green energy in a single nuclear power plant, where the same amount of money could be spent on even greater capacity from an offshore wind farm? In fact, it’s estimated that the next generation of nuclear power stations in the UK will cost around £60 per MWh, compared to offshore projects, which are coming in at as low as £39.65 per MWh. Sure, many of you will disagree or tell me about the negative environmental benefits of the production of solar panels, or the fact you couldn’t recycle a wind turbine until very recently, but while those are valid concerns, the industry is continuously working to improve its green credentials. It’s time to stop playing ‘yeah, but’, and to start actually addressing the looming challenge ahead. It’s bound to be fruitful for all of us.

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PRODUCTS

Unicrimp adds new Trade Tubs Unicrimp, part of the Scolmore Group of companies, has expanded its popular range of Q-Crimp Trade Tubs with three new tub additions - T&E Metal & Plastic Cable Clips: Clout Nails and Red Plastic Wall Plugs & Squarelock Anti-Tamper Woodscrews.

The Trade Tubs provide installers with a range of the most popular fixings and clips in a durable, resealable plastic tub with a carry handle. They are compact in size, robust design and feature convenient dividers – making them ideal to transport from job to job.

The T&E Metal & Plastic Nail Clips tub contains 200 x 1-2.5mm² (Metal), 400 x 1.5mm² and 400 x 2.5mm² (Plastic). The Clout Nails tub is a 2kg tub containing 40mm Clout Nails. The third new tub addition contains 400 x Red Plastic Wall Plugs and 400, 8x1.5” Squarelock Woodscrews.

Unicrimp’s full range of Q-Crimp fixings, along with the new Trade Tubs additions, are contained in the updated Unicrimp Issue 10 catalogue, which is available to download now from the Unicrimp website or via the Scolmore Group App.

Unicrimp • 01827 300 600 Find out more: www.unicrimp.com

ESP awarded BAFE accreditation for its fire design service ESP is proud to announce that it has been awarded BAFE accreditation for its fire design service.

BAFE is the independent registration body for Third Party Certified fire safety service providers across the UK, and ESP now appears on the National BAFE Fire Safety Register.

BAFE manages and maintains a Scheme called BAFE SP203-1 which covers Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that providers – like ESP – are competent to deliver fire system designs for its fire detection and alarm systems.

ESP is only permitted to become BAFE Registered and appear on the national BAFE Fire Safety Register once the company holds the appropriate/valid Third-Party Certification. ESP continues to meet the criteria of the relevant BAFE Scheme. This establishes robust evidence of competency requirements that demonstrates the provider’s commitment to quality. It also provides assurances to ESP’s customers that the company will deliver a fire system design that complies with all the relevant British Standards.

For support with any fire system design requirements, ESP can be contacted at design@espuk.com.

ESP • 01527 515 150 Find out more: www.espuk.com

Knightsbridge’s towers of power bring FASTCHARGE to the home and office Knightsbridge has boosted its collection of pop-up and FASTCHARGE chargers with the introduction of pop-up ‘towers of power’ that come in a choice of cap finishes and combine sockets with USB outlets.

Ideal for mounting in worktops, desks, communal workplace areas and home offices where a discreet power option is required, the units are ingress rated to IP54 when closed.

The towers comprise three 13A sockets – operated by an on/off backlit rocker switch – with in-built dual outlets that supports both Type-A USB and Type-C charging compatible with QC3.0 (Quick Charge) and PD FASTCHARGE. Suitable for devices supporting QC2.0/QC3.0 and/or USB-PD; the ports charge 80% faster than a standard 5V DC 2A charger and can deliver up to 50% charge in under 30 minutes with compatible phones.

With compatible QC devices, the outlets deliver up to 12V at 1.5A, although only one port can activate FASTCHARGE at any one time with the alternative port reverting to a maximum of 5V DC 1A. Unlike competitor units, the towers have a secure clip that lock the units upright when in use and won’t degrade nor see the tower slide closed even when fully laden with plugs and cables.

Knightsbridge • 01582 887 760 Find out more: www.mlaccessories.co.uk

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PRODUCTS

Makita: Shining a light on improved productivity Makita UK has added two new cordless tower lights to its range of lighting solutions, the DML813 and DML814.

The DML813 and DML814 18V LXT Cordless Tower Lights feature 12 daylight white LEDs that deliver up to 3,000 lumens and mimic natural daylight for maximum user visibility.

With three settings to choose from, professionals can easily adjust the output to suit the working conditions, and both models include a memory function that will turn the light on to the last setting used. What’s more, the DML814 features three light heads that can be pivoted independently, which is ideal when larger work areas need illuminating.

Both the DML813 and DML814 are height adjustable (from 125-224cm), making them suitable for use at ground level and at height. The tripod stand is easily operated using a lock-release button – and it can be secured to the ground with screws or pegs for maximum stability. At the end of the day, the DML813 and DML814 can be neatly folded up for simple storage and transportation.

The DML813 and DML814 have been designed for use on construction sites and are IP55 certified for weather and dust resistance. They also feature a padlock hole for the battery.

Makita UK • 01908 211 678 Find out more: www.makitauk.com

Riello UPS introduces new modular Sentryum rack series Riello UPS has launched a new product range specifically designed to ensure power continuity for industrial applications.

Based on its popular transformer-free Sentryum series, the Sentryum Rack is suited to sites prone to harsh environmental conditions, such as dust and humidity, or heavy industrial processes.

It is available as either a 20 kVA standalone rackmount UPS suitable for plug and play installation in standard 19in server racks or as a modular UPS which can easily be scaled up to a maximum capacity of 160 kVA. The advanced design of the Sentryum Rack ensures that all the power connectors (input, output, batteries) are completely separated and isolated from the communications connections. This eliminates the possibility of any disturbance from the grid supply network.

Available with either a single-phase or three-phase output, the UPS’s advanced technologies deliver unity power (kVA = kW) and operating efficiency up to 96.3% in online mode. It can also handle short circuits (150% for 300 msec) and high overloads (150% for 1 minute), ensuring the system can deal with sudden load peaks without having to transfer to bypass.

The plug and play Sentryum Rack incorporates a sophisticated battery management system, while it is compatible with alternative energy storage solutions such as supercapacitors or lithium-ion batteries.

Riello • 01978 729 297 Find out more: www.riello-ups.co.uk

Trilux Lighting wins a Gold and Green Build Back Better Award Trilux Lighting is proud to announce its recent success in the Build Back Better Awards Autumn edition.

On December 8, the company’s PLA Parelia prototype was presented with both a Gold and Green Build Back Better Award in the Lighting Product category.

The Build Back Better Awards are an exciting new initiative to champion building innovation, creativity, environmental leadership, and social purpose.

The Gold award is reserved for products that exhibit true innovation and unique points of difference. In this round, just five Build Back Better Green ratings were awarded, and Trilux is proud to be among the recognised few.

A luminaire’s body is currently constructed from plastic or precious raw resources, so Trilux decided to learn from other industries and looked for more sustainable, biodegradable materials. The surprising answer came from corn.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a synthetic polymer based on lactic acid obtained from corn starch in an environmentally-friendly way. The biocompatible thermoplastic is suitable for producing the luminaire body using a 3-D printing process. PLA products feature low moisture absorption and low flammability and high UV resistance, colour fastness, and bending strength.

Trilux Lighting • 01245 463 463 Find out more: www.trilux.com

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PRODUCTS

Onsite PD testing of cast-resin transformers installed in wind farms As part of the energy transition and the associated development of renewable energies, the number of installed dry-type transformers is increasing in the medium voltage power grid. Dry-type power transformers are often installed in wind turbine nacelles, industrial sites as well as in marine and civil applications. Therefore, the importance of the condition assessment of these units increases as well.

The assessment of the insulation condition is based on an induced voltage test in combination with a partial discharge measurement. The CPC 100 is used in combination with the step-up transformer MTR2 to generate up to 800 V at the transformer’s LV terminals. Due to the single-phase injection, the power intake is reduced, and an individual evaluation of each coil becomes possible. By using up to three synchronised CPC 100, transformers with power ratings of up to 15 – 20 MVA can be energised.

On the HV terminals, the MPD 800 system is connected to record the PD activity of the individual coils. In contrast to laboratory measurements under controlled conditions, an increased level of interference due to rotating machinery, power electronics, and other consumers can be expected on site. Different filtering and gating techniques of the MPD 800 system allow performing sensitive PD measurements even in the presence of high interferences.

OMICRON • 01785 848 100 Find out more: www.omicronenergy.com

Ovia adds LED wall packs to its floodlight range A new addition to Ovia’s floodlight range is Inceptor Murus – a range of LED Wall Packs with CTA Switch and a robust IK10 rated housing that makes them ideal in outdoor settings.

Designed to be fast and simple to install, the IP66-rated Inceptor Murus is available in 15W and 25W options and in a choice of standard, photocell, and photocell and emergency versions. The photocell version can assist with energy saving by allowing the light to turn on and off at set lux levels. Inceptor Murus will turn on when the lux level is below 10-30 lux.

Installation of the Murus is quick and easy, thanks to the Push Fit/Piano Key Terminal Block and the floodlight can be Besa box or trunking mounted. All models include a CTA switch allowing the product to change colour temperature between Warm White 3000K, Cool White 4000K and Daylight 6000K. Inceptor Murus is available in a choice of anthracite grey or light grey finish and it comes with a five year warranty.

The full range can be seen in the new Ovia Issue 3 catalogue which can be downloaded from the Ovia website – www.oviauk.com.

Ovia • 01827 300 640 Find out more: www.oviauk.com

New Matt Black Metal cover plates for Click Definity range – Scolmore Scolmore has added new Matt Black Metal cover plates to its Click Definity screwless wiring accessories range. The launch comes in response to feedback from installers working on domestic and specification projects who are looking for an alternative premium finish for interiors.

With no visible screws, the smooth, clean lines of Click Definity provide the ultimate finishing touch to a feature-packed range of decorative wiring accessories. The new Matt Black Metal finish will sit alongside the White Metal plates that are already part of the range.

Each Definity product comprises an insert and a decorative cover plate. In addition to the two metal options, Definity is available in five different finishes – Red, White, Stainless Steel, Brushed Steel and Polished Chrome.

With the face plates supplied independently of the electrical inserts, initial installation of the product can be carried out and any subsequent maintenance or decoration completed before the final selection and fixing of the face plate. For the installer, this means a greater degree of flexibility in the timing of the installation of the insert and the wholesaler need not carry excessive levels of costly finished product.

Scolmore • 01827 63454 Find out more: www.scolmore.com

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PRODUCTS

Knightsbridge brings décor matching with plaster wall lights Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – has added two ranges of gypsum plaster wall lights to its extensive decorative lighting collection.

Available as up/down surface-mounted wall lights for living spaces, or recessed fixtures that are ideal for use in areas like hallways and stairs. These new arrivals are all supplied in a stylish, timeless white that can also be painted to match any interior scheme. They work well when installed as standalone items, but also create a striking feature when mounted in series.

The surface-mounted wall lights come in four curved or cuboid design options, with widths varying from 110mm to 200mm, heights from 90mm to 180mm and projections from 70mm to 150mm. The lamp fitting is designed for G9 LEDs. Offering a discreet style, the recessed lights have a defined edge with a narrow opening, allowing for a subtle light output. They come in two shapes and sizes: rectangular, which is 350mm high, 100mm wide and 73mm deep; and a 78mm deep circular unit, the cut out for which is 250mm x 210mm. The lamp fitting for both items takes GU10 LEDs.

Knightsbridge • 01582 887 760 Find out more: www.mlaccessories.co.uk

Schneider Electric launches new range of PrismaSeT LV switchboard Schneider Electric has launched the new PrismaSeT LV switchboard for its EcoStruxure Power architecture. PrismaSeT is the optimised, tested and BS EN IEC compliant solution, based on more than 30 years of experience in low voltage switchboards.

In response to the need for superior operational safety, the new PrismaSeT switchboard is designed to enhance fire prevention with BS EN IEC 61439-1 & 2 type-tested functional units, and optional, innovative PowerLogic HeatTag sensor.

The robustness of the new panel has been significantly improved to gain efficiency at every level and provide peace of mind. Reinforced frames and doors make it easier and safer to operate and maintain the LV switchboard and ensure its durability in any environment.

To improve on sustainability at all levels, the use of plastic packaging has been eliminated from the PrismaSeT switchboard. The new green packaging decreases the quantity of waste and its disposal cost by using only recyclable cardboard.

Thanks to modular design, PrismaSeT switchboards can be modified easily to integrate new functional units as needed.

The PrismaSeT LV switchboard can be coupled with thePowerLogic HeatTag sensor, which is a revolutionary new product designed to provide fire prevention for switchboards. Its proactive heating detection technology drastically reduces the risk of fire.

Schneider Electric • 0370 608 8608 Find out more: www.se.com

New finishes add style to Knightsbridge screwless range Knightsbridge has enhanced its best-selling range of screwless sockets and switches with the introduction of two new finishes: smoked bronze and anthracite.

Smoked bronze is an excellent alternative for customers looking for a subtle, cool finish that chimes with the trend for more natural, earthier tones. Anthracite has grown enormously in popularity as a go-to colour for home décor including doors and windows, offering an understated yet high quality feel.

Both finishes are available across a comprehensive range of products including grid accessories and a modular faceplate. New multimedia combination plates are also available configured with fast charge A+C USB ports.

Offering a contemporary aesthetic, the two new arrivals provide yet more choice for discerning customers who like wiring accessories that bring a modern twist in terms of style, functionality and versatility.

The discrete lines of the screwless range – a profile of just 4.3mm – with its concealed screw fixing mean that the finished installation looks elegant and unfussy, remains untarnished and adds a touch of class and refinement as well as practicality.

Constructed from premium grade components and backed by a 15-year warranty, the Knightsbridge screwless range of switches and sockets promises total peace of mind and outstanding performance.

Knightsbridge • 01582 887 760 Find out more: www.mlaccessories.co.uk

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