THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC REGISTERED CONTRACTORS £5.00 WWW.NICEIC.COM TWITTER: @OFFICIALNICEIC SPRING 2012 | ISSUE 181 Register now for NICEIC Live South // page 6 connections PART P P20 How NICEIC is ensuring regulatory changes do not jeopardise safety GREEN DEAL P30 How your business can take advantage of the opportunities in energy efficiency LIGHTING P33 Keeping up with legal changes and energy efficiency can bring lucrative returns / / / TUNNEL VISION How Bristol firm ACES built the business from the ground up // page 26
Transcript
THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC REGISTERED CONTRACTORS £5.00 WWW.NICEIC.COM TWITTER: @OFFICIALNICEIC SPRING 2012 | ISSUE 181
Register now for NICEIC Live South // page 6
connectionsPART P P20How NICEIC is ensuring regulatory changes do not jeopardise safety
GREEN DEAL P30How your business can take advantage of the opportunitiesin energy effi ciency
LIGHTING P33Keeping up with legal changes and energy effi ciency can bring lucrative returns/ / /
TUNNEL VISIONHow Bristol fi rm ACES built the business from the ground up // page 26
NewsDon’t miss out on NICEIC Live 6Traders fined for logo misuse 7Golf Classic set to tee off 7
Industry welcomes Part P support 8
Renewables news Restore belief in renewables 10NICEIC leads by example 10
ESC news Meter tail campaign launched 12Fire warning for householders 13
Product news 15Cable management and trunking distribution systems
Advice 17Geoff rey Hollander assuages fears about HMRC’s tax safe plan Opinion 18Richard Shaw discusses short-circuit test reporting Insight 20NICEIC’s response to the government’s consultation on changes to the Part P regulations
Regions 22Social media and vehicle technology are helping contractors in Scotland cope with unstable trading conditions
Training 24Darren Staniforth explains the new qualifications framework
Current aff airs 66Green sparks fly
Cover story: contractor profile 26How doing what they know well has helped Bristol-based ACES thrive
The real deal 30There are new opportunities for contractors thanks to the Green Deal
Lighting the way 33Staying up to speed on regulatory changes in lighting technology
Air fix 36Good news for contractors in heat recovery and ventilation systems
Ask the experts 39Some of the NICEIC technical helpline’s more frequently asked questions answered
T he deadline for responses to the government’s consultation into Part P of the Building Regulations closes at the end of this month (27 April).
For quite a while now, NICEIC has campaigned to amend this so it is fit for purpose, so it was pleasing to see the
recent report by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) select committee saying it could not support deregulation of Part P.
NICEIC believes the proposals outlined in the consultation have the potential to dilute much of the regulations, and has expressed this view to the DCLG itself.
We believe Part P should be retained but amended, to ensure safety in the home is not compromised – a view that was backed up by more than 80 per cent of our registered contractors in a recent survey.
The cross-party select committee agreed, too. Its report said it had clear evidence to show that deaths and
injuries due to electrical faults have decreased since the introduction of the regulations, and that it could not support any deregulation of the Building Regulations relating to electrical work.
While some within the industry have argued against Part P, there is no doubt it has served a purpose. Injuries are down and the number of skilled workers has increased. There is always room to improve the regulations, but we must be careful of cutting too many corners in the process.
DIYers would not tackle work on a gas appliance in their own home with such abandon and it should be the same for electrical work. Working with electricity can be fatal.
NICEIC has never been against improving the process and, indeed, has made several suggestions as to how we think it should be altered (see page 20).
Let’s hope the government now listens to our views and that of the committee when it publishes its findings from the consultation later this year.
Reform, not revolution NICEIC has argued for some time that Part P of the Building Regulations should be amended but not diluted, so it was good to see the DCLG select committee agree
Emma Clancy is chief executive off icer, NICEIC
NEMMA CLANCY
EDITORIALGeneral 020 7880 6200Fax 020 7324 2791 Email [email protected] Editor Nick Martindale Technical editor Mike Clark Sub editor Victoria BurgherArt director Mark Parry Art editor Adrian Taylor Picture researcher Akin Falope Publishing and business development directorAaron Nicholls
ADVERTISING AND MARKETINGSales manager Jim FolleySenior sales executive Mark Palmer Sales executive Darren Hale Display 020 7882 6206Fax 020 7880 7553 Email [email protected]
PRODUCTIONProduction manager Jane EastermanDeputy production executive Kieran Tobin
Don’t miss out on NICEIC Live in 2012NICEIC Live South takes place at Epsom Downs racecourse on 17 May and tickets are selling fast.
Those attending the event will be able to hear from The Gadget Show presenter Suzi Perry, who will be discussing the latest developments in technology around the home and their impact on the electrical contracting industry. She will also be chatting to NICEIC’s Tony Cable to discuss how the industry has changed over the past 50 years.
“Modern electrical systems and the demands placed on them have changed immensely in recent years,” said NICEIC’s head of group marketing Mark Smith.
“Gadgets such as smartphones and tablet computers are now commonplace in many homes, while the use of home automation systems is also popular. Suzi is known as an expert when it comes
to gadgets so is well placed to talk about the opportunities they create for electrical contractors.”
Attendees will also be able to hear from NICEIC’s Darren Staniforth and microgeneration and renewable expert Peter Osbourne, as well as meeting some of the biggest names in the industry at the exhibition.
“NICEIC Live provides excellent value for money and is a great day out for contractors looking for information to take back to their day role,” said Smith.
Tickets cost £36 for NICEIC-registered contractors and £56 for all other delegates. Attendees will also receive a free voucher book featuring over £250 worth of discounts and special off ers from leading electrical suppliers.
For more information or to book visit www.niceiclive.com or call 020 7324 2771.
NICEIC has teamed up with software specialist Gooroo to off er electricians a simple and easy way to keep on top of time-consuming paperwork.
EBIS is a new online invoicing system designed specifically for electrical contractors. The system is easy to set up and its pre-loaded templates mean electricians can start sending professional-looking invoices or estimates in a matter of minutes.
The customised dashboard gives owners an immediate snapshot of the company’s finances at any one time. EBIS can also accept credit card payments online to help you get paid quicker.
Gooroo is off ering new NICEIC customers a free 30-day trial period of the software. Call 0800 975 5034 for more information or log on to www.ebis.pro
Invoicing made simple
News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product newsN
BUSINESS RECOGNITION FOR FEMALE CONTRACTORThe eff orts of an NICEIC registered contractor in setting up and running her own business have been recognised.
Eleanor Bell, who runs her own sculpture and lighting design consultancy in Falmouth, Cornwall, beat off stiff competition to be shortlisted in the south-west region of the Lloyds TSB National Enterprise Awards, which recognise graduates who have started their own business.
Bell graduated from University College Falmouth in 2007 with a first class honours degree in contemporary crafts, before embarking on a career as an electrician to give her the technical knowledge and income she needed to develop her creative practice.
Need-to-know industry news for electrical installers
PROMOTING THE CAUSENICEIC’s Jobs for the Girls campaign was given another boost recently when female contractor Kellie Dillon-Welch incorporated the campaign logo into the livery design for her van.
Dillon-Welch, whose firm True Power Electrics operates across the south-east, has been a key supporter of the campaign and said she was determined to promote opportunities for women even further, as well as making her van stand out from the crowd.
Traders fi ned for logo misuseTwo more traders have been fined and prosecuted for fraudulently claiming to be NICEIC registered.
Leicester-based Deepak Virdi, who traded under the name of R.K Builders, was fined £3,015 at Leicester Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to using an NICEIC Approved Contractor and NICEIC contractor logo.
At Southampton Magistrates Court, Paul Oldridge of Veritas Support Services in Portsmouth, was fined £14,800 for a range of off ences relating to false advertising on his website.
NICEIC’s head of customer relations Sandra Kerr said: “The NICEIC name is associated with quality and we must protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a
regular basis.”Last year NICEIC stepped up
its fight against firms incorrectly using its logo by setting up a wall of shame. Contractors caught falsely claiming to be members are listed on the NICEIC website and their details are passed to Trading Standards.
NEXUS 5 AMP FUSE RECALLContractors who think they may have purchased 5 amp fuse wire from B&Q, Wilkinson, Homebase, Makro or Robert Dyas between 1 July 2011 and 31 January 2012 are being asked to not use it and to return it to the store, where they will be issued a full refund.
Anyone who has used the product on an installation should advise customers to stop using it immediately and contact the NEXUS technical helpline on 01952 238 156. For more information visit www.nexusinds.com
FREE POCKET GUIDEInside this issue of Connections you will find Pocket Guide 26 – Insulation resistance testing – low voltage and FELV circuits. A printable version of each pocket guide is available on the NICEIC website. Additional copies can be obtained by contacting the NICEIC customer service department on 0870 013 0382 or at [email protected].
Golf Classic qualifying rounds set to tee off The regional rounds of this year’s NICEIC Golf Classic are just weeks away, but there’s still time to sign up and get involved in the competition.
The sector’s biggest golf tournament, the stableford pairs competition is open to anyone who owns or works for an NICEIC-registered company.
There are 10 regional rounds at various venues around the country, with the first taking place next month in Stirlingshire on 31 May. The winners of each qualifying event will then battle it out in the grand final at the prestigious Archerfield Links course on Scotland’s East Lothian coast.
The entrance fee is £80 per pair and for this each team will get coff ee and a bacon roll on arrival, 18 holes of golf, a
two-course meal in the clubhouse and a golfer’s goodie bag. There will also be various sponsor prizes on off er for longest drive and closest to the pin.
If you are a keen amateur golfer and want to get involved then go to www.niceic-golf.com. For further information email [email protected] or call 0845 123 3839. The full list of regional rounds is: • Glenbervie Golf Club, Stirlingshire,
Thursday 31 May • Sandmartins Golf Club, Berkshire,
Wednesday 6 June • Wildernesse Golf Club, Kent,
Monday 11 June • Wychwood Park, Cheshire,
Thursday 14 June• Malone Golf Club, Belfast,
Monday 18 June• Players Club, South Gloucestershire,
Thursday 21 June• Gog Magog, Cambridge,
Tuesday 26 June • Rockliff e Hall, Co Durham,
Wednesday 4 July• Moor Hall, West Midlands,
Tuesday 10 July
INSPECTION AND TESTING REMINDER WARNINGNICEIC is reminding contractors about the importance of inspection and testing on all works carried out.
The request comes in the wake of a tragic incident in which a young mother was killed in her home. The cause of death was electrocution and evidence given at the inquest indicated the electrical installation in the premises had not been subjected to the necessary inspection and testing procedures to verify that it was safe before being put into service.
Following the inquest, the coroner reported the circumstances of the death to NICEIC and a number of other bodies, with a view to them taking action to prevent the circumstances re-occurring.
NICEIC committed itself to reminding the qualified supervisors of all NICEIC-registered electrical contractors of their personal responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the results of inspection and testing recorded in electrical installation certificates, as signed by them and issued on behalf of their firm.
During assessments NICEIC area engineers will also be focusing on the importance of qualified supervisors and other responsible persons carrying out the correct procedures before electrical work is put into service.
Compliance with the initial verification procedures set out in part 6 of BS 7671 is essential, even where there may be commercial pressures to cut corners. It is also essential that, during NICEIC assessment visits, qualified supervisors are able to demonstrate that they are fully empowered by their managers to fulfil their safety responsibilities.
For further information about the requirements see the technical article on page 42.
NICEIC and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) have welcomed the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) select committee report into Building Regulations.
After hearing evidence from the electrical industry, local authorities and other key stakeholders, the committee said it could not support deregulation if electrical safety was compromised.
“For a long time now NICEIC has been voicing its concerns that electrical safety must not be compromised by any amendments,” said NICEIC chief executive off icer Emma Clancy.
“Carrying out any electrical work around the home can be potentially fatal. It should not be taken lightly and should always be undertaken by a competent person who is registered with an accredited body.
“NICEIC welcomes the latest comments and hopes the government takes on board the views of the committee when it completes its consultation into proposals surrounding the Building Regulations.”
Steve Bratt, ECA group chief executive, added: “The government must ensure that any reduction in regulation will
not put people at risk. This report is a welcome first step and we look forward to playing a full and constructive role during the government consultation.”
The committee added that it had clear evidence to show that deaths and injuries due to electrical faults had decreased since the introduction of the regulations.
Clive Betts, chair of the DCLG committee, said: “We could only support deregulation if there was clear evidence safety standards would not suff er, but such evidence has not been provided by the government.”
The committee is also recommending that all electrical equipment sold in DIY stores carries a health warning that it is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out most electrical works in the home.
NICEIC is constantly working to raise public awareness of the need to use registered electricians and to promote its Domestic Installers and Approved Contractors. Recent campaigns include:
Twitter spring 2012 @offi cialNICEIC Twitter feed exceeds the 2,000 follower mark, off ering advice and guidance to consumers and electricians ///
Consumer advertising campaign spring 2012 National newspaper adverts in seven papers reaching over six million people /// Consumer press articles
spring 2012 Tony Cable features in articles in Your Home magazine and on MSN.co.uk to promote the use of NICEIC registered electricians /// Wall of Shame
winter 2011 Ruthless rogue trader bricked into a wall of shame at London’s Euston Station to encourage householders to shop cowboy traders fraudulently
misusing a trade logo /// A.S.K campaign winter 2011 Consumer awareness campaign encouraging householders to check the ID of tradespeople /// Online specifi er campaign winter 2011 Banner advertising on Zoopla.co.uk to encourage homeowners and landlords to always use NICEIC-registered
contractors /// DIY SOS winter 2011 Cambridgeshire-based Approved Contractors fi lmed for future episode of this popular BBC show /// Consumer
advertising campaign autumn 2011 National newspaper adverts appearing in eight newspapers reaching over 20 million people /// Google advertising
campaign autumn 2011 Promoting NICEIC contractors on “electrician” searches, with approximately 2,000 searches per week /// Landlord information
leafl et autumn 2011 Leafl ets given to landlords encouraging them to use an NICEIC contractor when upgrading properties /// Don’t play games with safety
summer 2011 Editorial campaign urging homeowners to call in a professional if they are thinking about tackling risky DIY electrical jobs in their home /// DIY SOS summer 2011 A team of NICEIC Approved Contractors fi lmed for episode of this primetime BBC show /// Advertising campaign summer 2011
Adverts in Thomson local directories and consumer lifestyle magazines /// Blue Square Premier play-off fi nal May 2011 As well as sponsoring the shirts of
Luton Town, NICEIC also took out a one-page advert in the programme highlighting the need to always choose an NICEIC-registered electrician /// Twitter
launch summer 2011 Launch of Twitter feed @OFFICIALNICEIC to spread the word about only using registered electricians /// Bank holiday dos and
don’ts April 2011 Campaign warning homeowners about the potential risks involved in carrying out any electrical work and the need to call in a professional
Plugged inIndustry welcomes support for Part P
NICEIC // DIARYAPRIL27 EEIBA Spring BallDe Vere Grand Hotel, Brighton
MAY 2 BEAMA EV Infrastructure ConferenceInstitute of Physics, London
14-17 IFSEC Fire SolutionsNEC, Birmingham
15-17 Safety & Health ExpoNEC, Birmingham
17 NICEIC Live SouthEpsom Downs Racecourse
23-24 All-Energy 2012Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
30-31 Electrical Trade Show Northern IrelandRamada Plaza Hotel, Belfast
JUNE 12-14 Renewable Energy WorldKoelnmesse, Cologne
As we like to say...it’s what’s on the insidethat counts.
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ENERGY AUDITS | VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION | ACCURATE DATA | LOW INVESTMENT
Time to restore belief in renewable energyThe renewables industry and environmentalists have called on the sector to move on following the recent controversy over the feed-in tariff s (FiTs).
The latest court ruling means the government was unlawful in its attempts to cut the FiT rate and thousands of homes and businesses are set to benefit.
Around 30,000 installations are estimated to have taken place between the 12 December and 3 March deadline. These will now all be eligible for the higher FiT rate of 43p per kWh, compared with the 21p rate the government was trying to impose.
Paul Collins, head of NICEIC, said: “After months of uncertainty, the court ruling gives some clarity to the matter. The emphasis must now be to build on the momentum.
“Installing renewable technologies will give people the opportunity to take some
control of their energy consumption and off set the costs at the same time.”
Keith Marshall, chief executive of SummitSkills, urged companies in the electrical industry to press ahead with plans to train and develop staff to install such equipment.
“Whatever happens to feed-in tariff s, crucial to the industry’s future success will be having the trained workforce to provide the high-quality design, installation and maintenance that will enable this technology to deliver on its promised benefits,” said Marshall.
Environmental group Friends of the Earth called on the government to restore confidence in the renewables market.
“The government recently pledged a huge increase in solar by the end of the decade; it must now spell out how it is going to achieve this,” said executive director Andy Atkins.
NICEIC has joined the renewable revolution with a solar panel installation at its headquarters in Houghton Regis.
The firm had 39 solar panels installed on its premises at Houghton Hall Park by renewable specialist Puragen. The system will generate an estimated 7,690kW of electricity every year.
Emma Clancy, chief executive off icer of NICEIC, said: “Renewable energy is an important part of the UK’s energy future and we feel it’s important we embrace it.
“As a business with a strong sense of corporate responsibility, we are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint by 2020, promoting the uptake of renewable technologies between now and then. The addition of solar panels brings us much
closer to our goal.” The installation is expected
to save NICEIC about £700 on its energy bill each year, with a further income earned via the feed-in tariff payment.
“One of the best ways to encourage low-impact business practices is to demonstrate them in action,” said Clancy.
NICEIC leads by example
CALL FOR CLARITY ON THE RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVEThe British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) has called on the government to provide greater clarity on the introduction of the renewable heat incentive (RHI), after confirmation it would be delayed until at least summer 2013.
Kelly Butler, BEAMA’s marketing director, said: “It has been clear that the introduction of the RHI in 2012 was not going to happen and we have briefed our heat pump manufacturers along these lines for some months now.
“The good news is that the government remains committed to renewable heat, but ministers and off icials need to understand that industry needs to budget, so we now want to see some early signals of some firm dates.
“If the government wants to meet its carbon budget targets then 600,000 heat pumps need to be installed by 2020 – this will take firm policy direction and early action,” he said.
GREEN DEAL TEAM SPREAD THE WORD AT ECOBUILDNICEIC completed a busy few weeks on the exhibition circuit with an appearance at Ecobuild in March.
Held over three days at London’s Excel Centre, the event attracted more than 1,500 visitors and is the nation’s biggest environmental building conference.
Visitors to the NICEIC stand were able to have a chat with NICEIC’s Green Deal team. NICEIC’s Steve Davies and Guy Metcalfe were also invited to speak at the event by heating manufacturer Valliant, and outlined the possible savings that could be made from switching to renewable technologies such as solar thermal, heat pumps or biomass boilers. See Green Deal feature on page 30
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ENERGY AUDITS | VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION | ACCURATE DATA | LOW INVESTMENTESTMENT
Charity launches meter tail campaignThe ESC believes the tightness of meter tail connections within a consumer unit should be routinely checked as part of the smart meter installation process.
It argues that the removal of an existing meter and installation of a smart meter may mean that the meter tails to the consumer unit are disturbed and connections within the consumer unit loosened. This could result in the meter tails pulling out of their connection, causing a risk of electric shock, loss of supply or the creation of a high resistance connection that could lead to an increased risk of fire.
The concerns have been backed up in an independent laboratory test to simulate changing an electricity meter, which included a comparison between traditional seven-strand conductors and a 19-strand conductor. The latter is more flexible and has been adopted by several meter operators as their preferred type.
Results showed that disturbing the meter tails in a way foreseeable when changing an electricity meter is likely to loosen to some degree the connection at the main isolating switch in a consumer unit. This is possibly due to the individual conductor strands changing position in the terminal space.
After sharing the findings of its investigation with the Association of Meter Operators, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Health and Safety Executive and the Energy Networks Association, the charity is hopeful that checking the tightness of meter tail connections in consumer units on an individual on-site risk assessment basis will be included in the meter operators’ code of practice agreement.
A copy of the test report is on the industry section of the ESC’s website.
The ESC’s inaugural stakeholder event at the Southbank Centre in London brought together representatives from industry, consumer organisations and government, under the theme of “stronger partnerships for a safer future”.
ESC chairman Charles Tanswell spoke about the importance of building meaningful partnerships to drive the safety agenda forward.
“The charity needs to initiate open, two-way dialogue with its stakeholders to ensure they understand its mission and are willing to partner with the charity in helping to prevent electrical accidents, injuries and deaths in the UK,” he said.
Director-general Phil Buckle outlined the charity’s strategic direction and priorities, which include raising its profile, as well as awareness of electrical safety; encouraging safer places and products; generating income streams; and promoting research.
ESC outlines future vision
News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product newsN
ESC SUPPORTS PART P AT SELECT COMMITTEE
Phil Buckle, ESC director-general, joined other electrical industry leaders giving evidence to the Department for Communities and Local
Government select committee into the Building Regulations.
Buckle reiterated some of the key points the ESC had submitted as written evidence, pointing out that Part P is the only legal framework in England that protects the consumer from unsafe electrical installation work in the home.
The ESC says it would support a reduction in the type of work that is notifiable, as long as it does not extend to bathrooms or kitchens.
“We are committed to consumer protection, but we also understand the need for balance; reducing the complexities of Part P, without compromising safety,” said Buckle.
For NICEIC’s stance on Part P, see p20.
Plugged in
Ala
my
Wandsworth Community Safety Partnership was one of many successful applicants to the ESC’s 2011 fire safety fund.
The partnership was awarded funding to assist it in the development of a joint local community services initiative to deliver a safety awareness programme.
The programme, aimed at the elderly, also enabled electrical products to be
off ered to participants free of charge to help increase safety, including four-way bar adaptors for use in place of block adaptors.
The local Fire & Rescue Services had identified the need, advising the partnership of an increase in the number of fires in the homes of elderly residents in the area.
The joint safety initiative was co-ordinated and delivered by off icers from the Community Safety Division of Wandsworth Council, London Ambulance Service, Wandsworth Police and local Fire & Rescue Services.
In November 2011, more than 100 residents aged between 65 and 93 from the Roehampton area of Wandsworth attended the first two-day event in the programme.
Householders fi re warningThe ESC is warning householders not to store combustible materials close to the electrical intake equipment in their homes.
The charity is getting the message across by supplying labels and leaflets to Fire & Rescue Services (FRS) in England, Scotland and Wales as part of its electrical fire safety campaign work.
As part of a joint initiative with the Chief Fire Off icers Association, the label and leaflet will be off ered to householders by FRS fire prevention off icers during their home safety visits.
The warning is particularly appropriate where the electrical intake equipment (service head, meter and consumer unit) is in a cupboard that is used to store items such as coats, cleaning materials and other items that can be easily ignited. Fires in cupboards located underneath staircases are particularly dangerous because they
can cut off the means of escape from upstairs in the building.
In collaboration with the Association of Meter Operators, the ESC has also off ered to part-fund a supply of labels for use by meter operators when visiting homes to replace electricity meters.
This wider electrical fire safety campaign will run up to 2019, by which time the electricity meters in all 26 million homes in Great Britain are due to have been replaced under the smart meter programme.
The Electrical Safety Council: raising electrical safety awareness, made possible by funding from NICEIC. Keeping you up to date with news from NICEIC’s parent charity
ESC ON SHOW AT ELEX IN 2012The charity is exhibiting at all five ELEX shows in 2012. As well as the recent Harrogate show in March, the ESC will be at Exeter (26-27 April), Manchester (21-22 June), Coventry (20-21 September) and Sandown Park, Surrey (8-9 November).
ELEX always provides the ESC with the opportunity to hear first-hand about the issues aff ecting electrical contractors, and allows it to distribute the whole range of consumer literature and best practice guidance that the ESC has to off er to electricians, apprentices, tutors and other interested parties. Visit www.elexshow.info for more information.
DVDs promote contractorsThe ESC has developed a range of leaflets and DVDs to provide electrical safety information to homeowners, tenants and landlords and highlight the benefits of using installers registered with government-approved schemes.
The ESC’s 25-minute Guide to electrical safety DVD shows a variety of electrical hazards individuals face every day and encourages them to think about the condition of installation rather than assuming that because it works it is safe.
To help reinforce this message, the charity has produced a 10-minute DVD aimed at those intending to buy, sell or renovate a property. The DVD takes viewers around a house to show them typical electrical problems that can exist on older properties.
The DVD, Think electrics!, advises people to ensure that the condition of the electrical installation is checked by a registered electrician before committing themselves to a new property.
The ESC can supply 100 free copies of either DVD to electricians and other interested parties, for distribution to customers and clients – please email [email protected]. Leaflets can be downloaded free at www.esc.org.uk
Cable support hazardThe ESC has highlighted the importance of the fire resistance of cable supports following the death of two firefighters in a fire in a block of flats in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
One of the firefighters died when he became entangled in electric cables that had fallen when their containing plastic cable trunking melted. The subsequent investigation found the firefighter had cable insulation stuck on the palm of his glove, indicating he had been trying to untangle himself as he died.
Regulation 527.1.2 of BS 7671 requires wiring systems to be so installed that the general building structural performance and fire safety are not reduced. In the context of wiring systems, this implies that they should be supported in such a way that, where appropriate (such as in corridors, stairways and other escape routes), they will not collapse when aff ected by a fire.
The above requirement would be unlikely to be met by the sole use of plastic cable clips, non-metallic cable ties or plastic trunking to support wiring systems. Cables (and any trunking, conduit or cable tray) should, wherever possible, be securely attached to a suitable fire-resistant part of the building fabric, using appropriate metal fixings.
Schneider Electric has unveiled its Performa Zinc+, a cable management support system designed for use in demanding environments such as telecoms installations or data centres.
The product features a self-repairing coating designed to minimise any damage caused by cuts and scratches, while the coating itself is smooth and comes without flakes or sharp edges.
The system also features high levels of corrosion resistance, says Schneider, and remains fully intact even when faced with 2,000 in a salt-spray. It is class 8 rated, according to IEC 61537.www.schneider-electric.com
Fluke has introduced five new thermal imagers. The Ti110 and Ti125 are designed for plant technicians, heating and ventilation professionals and electricians who need to inspect electrical and mechanical equipment and components. The TiR110 and TiR125 are for building inspection and energy audit professionals assessing insulation problems, air leakage, moisture issues or construction defects. The Fluke Ti100 is for general applications.
The first four include a range of new features such as IR-Fusion technology, which enables users to blend digital and infrared images into a single image.
Fluke claims all five imagers can withstand drops of up to 2m in height.www.fluke.co.uk
FIVE FROM FLUKE
ROOM TO SPARE
Contractors who struggle to get to grips with wiring consumer units and distribution boards might be interested to hear of Eaton’s new range of compact RCBOs, which are about 20mm shorter than standard products.
The trend towards using RCBOs rather than ordinary miniature circuit breakers was sparked by the introduction of the 17th edition, says Eaton, and contractors have struggled to cope with the larger footprint and requirement to accommodate a flying neutral lead of up to 1,100mm.
The RCBOs are available in commercial and residential models and are compatible with both Eaton’s Memera consumer units and Memshield 3 distribution boards. They are also interchangeable with Eaton’s existing full-size RCBOs (pictured with the new version), which are superseded by the new models.www.eaton.com
QUICK OFF THE MARK
Legrand has upgraded its Salamandre range of distribution trunking, which, according to the company, means it is the first cable management manufacturer to meet the requirements of the first amendment to the 17th edition for new designs.
A cover strap is now connected to each coupler over the joint between the two lids, while the product also contains a new range of IP4X fittings integrating with existing lengths and accessories.
The amendment requires new designs coming into force after January 2012 to incorporate trunking that can deliver IPXXD or IP4X protection when used with single insulated, non-sheathed cables. This is not covered by standard IP30-rated systems.www.legrand.co.uk
TWO FOR ONE
NEW ENERGY-METERING UNITS
Havells has produced a new range of units designed to help provide energy metering to the standards outlined in Part L2 of the Building Regulations on existing supplies or upgrades.
The meter management units comprise a multifunction meter in an IP65 enclosure, with pre-wired split-core current transformers, which are pre-wired to flying leads that can be connected to meter terminals.
The range includes 125A and 250A units with standard multifunction or MID meters necessary for landlords’ tenant billing applications. The meters off er both visual and remote reading capabilities and are fully pre-configured for current transformer ratio and voltage. They also boast in-line fuses to protect the meter and a CT disconnect feature.www.havells.co.uk
Plugged inHager’s new dual-supply, digital link marshalling box aims to solve the problem of doubling up on equipment and time in installations where two independent supplies are required.
The latest addition to the klik system allows both supplies to be controlled from the same occupancy sensor, making it suitable for use in projects such as hospitals that require essential and non-essential lighting supplies.
The box has an independent supply coming to diff erent sides, with a digital occupancy sensor connected to either
side controlling all the ballasts plugged
into it. In the event of either supply being lost, the luminaires on the other side will stay on.www.hager.co.uk
Optional incoming metering is integral, justinstall the required metering kit, or you canadd an optional meter pack, beneath themain distribution board.
Outgoing metering is achieved with the use of add on cableways which canaccommodate up to one meter peroutgoing way.
All metering options are available with MID meters.
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H MRC has written to 50,000 electricians to invite them to join the electricians’ tax safe plan (ETSP). Contractors have until 15 May 2012 to inform the organisation that they would like to participate and, once accepted, until 14 August 2012 to send information relating to their tax aff airs, together with any payment that is due.
Many people find HMRC letters confusing and stressful. We examine below what the ETSP letter means and what to do next so you can comply with its terms, and then get back to running your business.
Understand the aimsOver the past three years, HMRC has approached diff erent groups of people in the UK to help them close what they refer to as the “tax gap”. This gap, currently estimated to be £42 billion, is the diff erence between what HMRC thinks it should be collecting each year compared with what actually arrives in its coff ers. Rather than target individuals, HMRC has found that approaching groups is a more cost-eff ective way of collecting money. Previous groups targeted have included plumbers and doctors.
Look back at the last six yearsIt is time to look at the income you have declared to HMRC over the past six years. In most cases this will relate wholly to your business income, but the programme includes any income that should have been taxed.
If you are comfortable that the amount recorded on your tax returns could stand up to a HMRC check, then you don’t need the ETSP. But if you are concerned that HMRC could ask legitimate questions about how you arrived at the figures in your accounts, or you don’t have suff icient paperwork to support them, then the ETSP might be for you.
Take advantage The ETSP is off ered on favourable terms. The process is most likely to be “faceless” – there is generally no requirement to attend a meeting with HMRC. Also, the processes and forms are standardised, which means that professional costs for dealing with any submissions should be cheaper than full tax enquiries. Any tax that is found to be payable will be subject to a much lower penalty, usually 10 per cent, compared with up to 100 per cent if this opportunity is missed.
Don’t ignore itWith advances in technology, HMRC has increasing amounts of
Taxing questions Most contractors will have nothing to fear from HMRC’s tax safe plan, but those with any concerns should take action now, says Geoff rey Hollander
N
information at its disposal. A struggling economy means tax collections are down and the government is 100 per cent committed to collecting the right amount of tax from everyone.
For the average person who already pays his or her tax, this means taking a closer interest in how tax law works or, more likely, engaging with an accountant who can guide you through the ever-increasing complexities of tax compliance. This is because even the most well-intentioned citizen is likely to trip up on some legislation if they are not well versed in tax law.
The cost of not acting could be high. Since the plumbers’ campaign closed, over 1,000 enquiries have been opened and several people who did not come forward when the opportunity arose have been arrested.
Get helpFinally, if you consider you do have something to tell HMRC, then you will also need to decide whether to go it alone and make the disclosures without professional help, or to seek further advice.
HMRC has some information on its website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/campaigns/etsp.htm. Everything can be submitted online and there is a dedicated HMRC telephone support team available to assist with any disclosure.
However, apart from the most simple of returns, you will be best advised to talk any disclosure through with a professional before you approach HMRC. In the first instance this should be your accountant, although if matters are particularly complicated, contact a specialist who will be well versed in preparing such forms.
GEOFFREY HOLLANDER
Geoff rey Hollander is head of tax investigations at Cameron Baum Chartered Accountants Ill
C able cleats prevent costly and dangerous damage to cables when short circuits occur.
Third-party short-circuit testing is currently accepted as the best way to prove a
cleat does what it claims. Unfortunately, the validity of this process is being jeopardised by the fact that the headline figure on such reports is all too frequently taken to mean that the products tested deliver the same level of short circuit withstand, irrespective of the installation.
This is blatantly incorrect. You cannot say a specific cable cleat has a short circuit withstand of 150kA without putting it into context in terms of the cable size, cable arrangement and how far apart the cleats are spaced.
Take, for example, a recent report I was given that had a headline figure that alluded to the product withstanding a peak short circuit of 138kA. This was simply not the case. The test rig was set up with four trefoil circuits in
parallel and, while the overall fault level was 138kA, each of the four trefoil groups only saw a quarter of the fault, meaning they only withstood the equivalent of 34.5kA.
The ease with which this report could have been misinterpreted is clear. Worryingly, if the
product in question was installed on a system with a peak short circuit over 34.5kA – just a quarter
of the report’s 138kA headline figure – it would provide as much protection as a plastic cable tie.
This example is one of many, and clearly highlights the need for third-party test reports to be carefully studied. The best way to do this is to ask two simple questions. First, is the product tested the same as the product being off ered? Second, is the test installation similar to the project installation? If the answers are both positive then the product should be suitable.
A project-specific test gives absolute certainty. This is third-party testing at its most extreme, and is the only way to guarantee the cleat is suitable for the installation.
Caught short The incorrect interpretation of short-circuit test reports is leading to inappropriate cable cleats being specifi ed and installed, says Richard Shaw
If you have an opinion about an issue concerning the electrical industry, let us know. Email editor@niceic connections.com
RICHARD SHAW
IN FOCUS// CLIVE MADDISONHow did you end up working for yourself? I went straight into the electrical industry from school and worked for East Midlands Electricity Board for 17 years, doing intruder alarms and domestic and industrial installations. In 1996 I moved to Devon and set up on my own.
How have things been since then? Fine. I’ve never been short of work in all that time. I don’t advertise; it’s just word of mouth. I do a lot of barn conversions or refurbishments of old property.
How has the downturn aff ected you? Last year was my busiest ever, but things have slowed down this year. I’ve got enough work, but it’s not as busy as it was. We’ve been isolated from it down here to an extent.
What area do you cover? Around Torbay and into Dartmouth. I don’t travel more than 20 miles.
What are your plans for the business? There are no plans to grow it because I like working on my own. If I can’t do it I’ll tell the client I’m struggling.
It’s surprising how many people say they’ll wait.
Tell us about your books…I just sat down at Christmas 2008 and thought I’d give it a go. I was working on a job and had an idea and went home and wrote the first 2,000 words and couldn’t stop. Five months later it was done and I got a publishing deal.
What else do you do? I have endless hobbies. I make electric violins and play the guitar and I recently completed a model of HMS Victory. Anything practical I’ll have a go at.
If you are a small business or sole trader and would like to feature in In Focus, email [email protected]
» Clive Maddison is owner of Maddison Electrical, based in Brixham, and author of Caught and Pursuit. For more information visit www.clivemaddison.com
Richard Shaw is managing director of cable cleat manufacturer Ellis
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A s Connections readers will know, the government is currently reviewing the Building Regulations, and in
particular Part P, with a view to changing or amending the legislation that covers electrical work carried out around the home.
The proposed changes, which are expected to come into force from 2013, are intended to reduce the amount of red tape surrounding the type of work carried out. However, they also have the potential to dramatically impinge on electrical safety and reduce the need to employ an electrician around the home.
For this reason, NICEIC has been calling on the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to think carefully about any changes. NICEIC has now sent in a detailed reply outlining its views on Part P before the deadline for responses to the consultation closes on 27 April. The NICEIC view is that Part P should be retained, but amended – a view shared by 85 per cent of our registered contractors in a recent survey.
EAL shows that more than 17,500 installers obtained the EAL domestic electrical installer (Part P) qualification between January 2008 and June 2011; a sign that Part P raises standards.
Published DCLG statistics also show that nearly six million domestic electrical jobs have been notified to Building Control since Part P was introduced in 2005.
All of these jobs have been notified by contractors who have subjected themselves to an annual assessment, who inspect and test their own work and give the homeowner added peace of mind with an insurance-backed warranty. This protection and added dimension of redress for the homeowner is where Part P has been very successful.
The quality of electrical installation work undertaken by a competent person scheme member is auditable
Don’t take the NICEIC has submitted a detailed response to the government’s consultation on Part P, arguing it should incorporate a risk-based assessment
‘Reform of the assessment criteria to reward those companies with exemplary records, while ensuring that all contractors meet the same standard, is essential to ensuring a thriving and fair industry’
PMaking the case for Part PThere is demonstrable evidence that the quality of electrical installation work in England and Wales has improved since the introduction of Approved Document P in 2005. This is supported by the information gathered from NICEIC inspectors during their annual surveillance visits to 24,000 electrical contractors and their assessment of more than 300,000 domestic electrical installations.
More than half of all contractors surveyed also report to have seen an improvement in the standard of electrical installation work since Part P was introduced.
There has also been a reduction in the number of unregulated persons undertaking electrical work in dwellings, while many more individuals now undertake electrical training than before. A report by training provider
Raising concerns In February this year, NICEIC’s chief executive offi cer Emma Clancy was among a panel of leading electrical contracting industry fi gures called in front of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) select committee to discuss the case for retaining electrical safety as part of the Building Regulations.
“Cutting cost and red tape for the contractor is absolutely key when DCLG looks at amending Part P of the Building Regulations,” she explains. “However, electrical safety must not be compromised by the amendments. Our worst fear is that Part P is diluted further so the regulation becomes so complex that those contractors who are registered with a competent persons scheme and do things properly are undermined.”
Need to know:
21www.niceic.com NICEIC Connections Spring 2012
of how they perform throughout those 12 months. Reform of the assessment criteria to reward those companies with exemplary records, while ensuring that all contractors meet the same standard, is essential to ensuring a thriving and fair industry.
This key reform would reduce costs and save time for competent electrical contractors, while ensuring that all contractors adhere to best practice and the highest standards.
NICEIC also strongly recommends a fee consistent across all local authority building control departments, proportional to the time and cost for the local authority to test and inspect the work.
Part P is crucial in ensuring we maintain the highest standards of electrical safety in dwellings in England and the regulation should be retained and amended. We believe the competent person schemes remain the most cost-eff ective way for an electrical contracting business to comply.
Registration with a scheme and notifications of work costs less than £2 a day for a small business. This could be reduced further with DCLG’s reauthorisation of competent person schemes and the adoption of risk-based assessments.
and each competent persons scheme operator has to have a defined quality management system with a robust complaints procedure. This, again, off ers protection for the homeowner and provides an added incentive for the competent person to ensure that electrical installation work complies with the Building Regulations.
No to DIYThe consultation suggests that DIYers should be allowed to carry out electrical work and be able to get a third party to test and inspect it as well as notifying it to Building Control. In our opinion this is wrong. All works that are paid for should be carried out by a competent person scheme member so that installations are properly inspected, tested and certified.
NICEIC firmly believes that if people cannot inspect and test their own work they are not competent enough to be carrying out a potentially lethal piece of work. The emphasis on enabling more DIY work in the consultation for Part P is disappointing when you put deaths from electrocution, shock and house fires into context.
There are approximately 70 deaths, 350,000 serious injuries and 21,000 fires caused by electrical accidents
every year in UK homes. This is in addition to the 2.5 million householders a year who receive a mains voltage electric shock.
A massive 95 per cent of NICEIC contractors also said no to allowing DIY work without the need to notify the local authority. NICEIC is strongly against DIY electrical work in the home undertaken by incompetent persons.
Reduce the burdenNICEIC believes the proposals outlined in the consultation have the potential to dilute Part P. We have put forward our own suggestions for amendments to Part P that cut cost for the registered installer and put electrical safety back to the top of the agenda.
Our alternative arrangements have included a move to risk-based assessment. At present not all contractors comply with Building Regulations. This impacts on safety and means that those who do comply and work to high standards are put at a disadvantage compared with those who do not adhere to the safety measures that Part P provides for consumers.
Currently each contractor who is a member of a competent persons scheme is subject to annual visits to maintain their registration, regardless
Contractors north of the border are making use of social media and vehicle technology to help cope with uncertain trading conditionsBy Adrian Holliday
T he green shoots of growth may be pushing through a few patches of Home Counties topsoil, but optimism is in shorter supply north of the border, particularly on the consumer side. But, like our feature on the West Country in the Winter 2011-12 issue of Connections, things are often rather better for electrical contractors than
the media perception would have us believe. So how are Scottish contractors faring?
For St Andrews-based R.B. Grant, a family-run business with 50 employees, the past two years have actually seen an increase in turnover. Diversification has played its part here for owner Ronnie Grant, with stronger domestic and industrial markets helping to compensate for a fall in commercial activity.
“We do a fair bit of schools and local housing association work,” he says. “The councils are cutting back, but they can’t cut back on the 2016 European standards for C02 emissions. Central heating and re-wiring work has to continue to bring all council housing up to standard. In some cases we might be doing work a little bit cheaper than in the past, but there’s still plenty of it to be had.”
Social media is making a big diff erence to his firm’s prospects, and has been a focus of activity over the past two to three years. “I’m 36 and I’m comfortable with it,” he says. “The majority of our advertising is through our website, but we also use Facebook and Twitter.” He’s also had plenty of business through LinkedIn, he says.
Most email correspondence now comes through smart phones. “We can tell if they find us through a mobile phone search or computer, and it’s more often through a smart phone,” he says. It also means that Grant gets emails 24/7; something he doesn’t mind because it means he can give people instant answers. He’s actually never spoken to one client by phone; it’s always via mobile email.
New technology also plays another role out on the road. A few years ago R.B. Grant’s annual fuel bill was £70,000. But investing in vehicle telematics, which tracks location, mileage and a wide range of fuel-management options, including how hard a vehicle is driven, has subsequently saved the company thousands in fuel; easily covering the annual cost of £3,000.
Fuelling growthFor Neil Robson, director of Aberdeen-based A.J. Robson Electrical, the downturn is noticeable, but hasn’t impacted significantly on its 10-employee strong business, which has been in operation since 1978. That’s partly because Aberdeen is Europe’s oil capital, Robson jokes — it’s more or less true, even if the emphasis is increasingly on energy eff iciency.
‘We might be doing work a little bit cheaper than in the past, but there’s still plenty of it to be had’
government reduced that back to 17.5 per cent, it would make things easier.”
Macpherson’s overall workload is split 50/50 between the private and public sectors, while an ongoing Territorial Army contract mops up plenty of the workload. “That involves a lot of maintenance work,” he says.
He’s also using new technology to help push the business and cut costs. His daughter has put the company on Facebook. Most of his correspondence is via email, as is pricing. But until the economy really picks up a bit of speed he’s happy to keep things ticking over. His apprentice passed his final exams in December, however, and is now a fully waged employee.
Finally, a brief visit to Airdrie-based Fusion Electrical & Civils. Craig Maxwell has been in business for four years. He noticed a slowdown 18 months ago, but this has enabled him to cross-train his 10-strong workforce in concreting, trenching and ducting work. “We’ve been taking on a lot of commercial clear-outs,” he says. Increasingly stringent health and safety regulations for landlords have also created a lot of electrical testing work for him. On the costs side, he’s using the smaller vans more to save on fuel.
Overall, then, a mixed picture north of the border, but far from doom and gloom. And with the focus on Scotland set to increase with Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and a referendum for independence likely to take place the same year, there remains much reason for optimism amid the current uncertainty.
» Adrian Holliday is a freelance business journalist
>Family fi rm M.J. Macpherson & Sons spans three generations, including founder Mike’s son Scott (left ), nephew Mark (centre) and grandson Ross (right)
Recovery is patchy generally. Town centre job vacancies remain better in Scotland than the UK average, but footfall in Scottish shops recently saw the sharpest decline of any part of the UK. Last April’s above-infl ation rises in Scottish business rates didn’t help many businesses.
According to CBI Scotland, business confi dence withered to its lowest levels for three years in its recent industrial trends survey, while new orders dipped again in the past three months, for the third time in a row. Expectations for the next quarter are at their weakest since April 2009.
Practically, it means that even when oil production is down, the maintenance side of the business come to the fore.
“When we’ve had to discuss job labour rates with maintenance organisations outside Aberdeen, that’s when cost issues might come up,” Robson says. “But for much of the time it’s steady as she goes.”
The business is, however, more sensitive to costs such as vehicle expenses. “We have eight vehicles,” he says. “We have looked at hybrid-electric technology. The sales rep from Nissan came to see us and we had a look at dual-fuel options.” But the limited range of electric vehicles – especially when using a trailer – put Robson off .
Other areas of technology, such as LED lighting, draws a warmer response. “I do push it,” he says. “Some clients will pay for it, or they might say ‘we’re willing to do something new, what can you off er us?’.”
Spreading the loadMike Macpherson runs M.J. Macpherson & Sons, a well-known family firm in Inverness that, like A.J. Robson, has been around since the late 1970s. Macpherson employs three staff and has noticed a definite slowing in the workload. However, the company’s strong local roots have ensured a steady turnover of work and his staff remain consistently occupied. “We’ve never stopped,” he says. “There’s always something coming in, but we’re not pricing as much as we used to.”
Macpherson started to notice the eff ects of the downturn 12 months ago. “The VAT going up to 20 per cent slowed things down,” he says. “When we produce an invoice and it puts 20 per cent on top, it makes a big diff erence. If the
Economic outlookScotland
2014: The year Scotland will host the Commonwealth Games and hold a referendum on independence
2016: The year new European standards for C02 emissions come into force
Setting standards Contractors need to familiarise themselves with changes made by EAL and City & Guilds to their new electrical qualifi cation frameworks. Darren Staniforth explains the new-look regime
F or those of you that knew your 2360 from your 2330, it’s time to forget those numbers and start remembering qualifications by their new, very long, titles.
The two main awarding bodies of electrical certificates, EAL and City
& Guilds, were asked by SummitSkills to work together and revamp the old set of electrical qualifications. In doing so, the process created some new titles the industry will need to understand quickly.
The level 3 award in Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671: June 2008 (2011) replaces the old 2382 – 10 or 20. City & Guilds has produced a new qualification with a new number 2382 – 12, while EAL has decided to use the full award title.
In the past, those with a recent qualification could complete a short course and sit a shorter exam. Now everyone aiming for a wiring regulations qualification will need to take the full exam. However, individual training centres can off er a shorter course for those with a recent BS 7671 qualification.
A level 3 award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations has been introduced. This new qualification covers inspection and testing of new electrical installations, as well as single and three-phase. The course will ensure an individual understands the electrical installation certificate and the minor electrical installation works certificate. The candidate will need to complete a practical assessment on initial verification of an electrical system and complete a written exam. City & Guilds will replace the 2392 qualification with this new 2394 award. EAL will be introducing this to its new off erings.
A new qualification has been designed to cover the new electrical installation condition reports (EICRs), a level 3 award in the Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations. This is new to both awarding bodies. City & Guilds has used parts of the old 2391 to create a new 2395, while EAL has redesigned its periodic testing qualification to include the new changes.
This level 3 award covers all the practical inspection and testing aspects for the new EICR and how to complete the new form. Qualification requires taking a new written exam and new practical assessment.
Currently there is no need for anyone to update an old qualification. For instance, someone holding a City & Guilds 2391 wouldn’t need to update to the new level 3 award in the Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations.
However, there are advantages to completing the new awards, which have been designed to meet the latest requirements of BS 7671 and the new EICRs.
NICEIC Training will be able to off er both awarding bodies’ qualifications in the future.
Darren Staniforth is the technical development manager at NICEIC
‘A level 3 award in the Initial Verifi cation and Certifi cation of Electrical Installations has been introduced, covering inspection and testing of new electrical installations, as well as single and three-phase’
» Further information on NICEIC’s training courses can be found at www.niceic.com/training, by emailing [email protected] or calling 0870 013 0389
Founding principles When three contractors barely out of apprenticeships decided to start their own business in 1989, they did so based on two core beliefs. More than two decades on, those pillars help them thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace
CONTRACTOR PROFILE // ACES
By Nick Martindale
I n 1989 a young man walked into a Bristol bank with £250 and proudly told the manager he and two of his chums wanted to start an electrical business. The bank manager laughed, but took the cash. The fledgling firm had no assets and worked out of a van, before progressing to an attic and later to a bedroom.
It was, perhaps, an inauspicious start, but what made it all the more remarkable was the
age and lack of experience of its founders. The man who went to the bank was Stephen Sage, now managing director of Avon Combined Electrical Services (ACES), based in Bedminster, in the south of Bristol. At the time, he had just completed his apprenticeship and his partners – Richard Mullis and Mark Norman – were both just 22, having had just two years’ experience working in the industry for a local contractor.
“We all came from a manual on-the-tools background,” says Richard. “Steve and I worked for the same company and Mark worked for a diff erent one, but I’d done my apprenticeship training with him. We started doing odd jobs together at weekends and thought perhaps we could make a go of it. We were working as labour-only on projects for bigger contractors and we grew it from there.”
‘All the banks have always told us over the years that we’re high risk, so we self-fund most of what we do now’
Early on, the three made two important decisions. The first was that they would stick to what they knew in commercial and industrial installations – domestic was firmly out – and the second was a firm belief that they would treat people – customers, staff and suppliers alike – as they themselves would like to be treated.
“We always had the ethos that we would do what we know, and do it well,” says Steve. “We have built the company on doing a very good job. We’re very hands-on directors; people can talk to us and we get the work done.”
Over the years, the three have found their own roles within the business, with Mark handling major projects, training and IT and Richard taking responsibility for accreditation – the company recently received three-code accreditation for ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO8001 – as well as projects. Steve, meanwhile, oversees staff ing, finance and marketing. Even today, however, the trio are not averse to getting their hands dirty, with Mark heading off during our interview to oversee
COMPANY: ACES
BASED: Bedminster, Bristol
FOUNDED: 1989
MAJOR PROJECTS: Plymouth University, Cossham Hospital, MoD
a major shutdown of a data centre. “The client is going to appreciate seeing top-level management in on this to make sure it goes smoothly and to make decisions there and then if we have to,” he says.
Today, the company is one of a handful of large contractors in the city operating just below the level at which national contractors would tend to get involved. “We’ve got to a size now where we will turn over probably £6.5 million this year,” says Steve. “Every year we try to progress a little bit. One of the first major projects we ever had was for £160,000 and that was closely followed by a refurbishment at Pontins, which was for about £500,000. In those days it was a case of ‘how are we going to do this?’. Now we look at £500,000 projects and don’t bat an eyelid.”
There are jobs that are too big, however, he says, particularly as the company tends to finance much of its own projects upfront. “All the banks have always told us over the years that we’re high risk, so we self-fund most of what we do now and because of that it’s very diff icult to jump up big notches,” he says. “If we were asked to do a fast-track job tomorrow where
we had to do a £2 million project in eight weeks with 150 men we couldn’t take it on. If it was 30 men we’d look at it. But it would also depend on where it was.”
Weathering the stormThe company has recently completed a £2.1 million project for a large data centre in Portsmouth, which marked the end of a long-term programme for a client that was converting disparate elements of a former industrial facility into individual units for blue-chip companies. “We’ve probably done £10 million over the past 11 years, just going around the site,” says Steve. “They had one building left and they were going to take that themselves and then this data company came in, so they recommended us and we won the project.”
Much of the company’s work comes from main building contractors, including national firms BAM, ISG Pearce, Leadbitter Construction and VINCI Construction, as well as smaller regional players, and it takes on work all over the country. “We’re currently working on a new marine research facility at Plymouth University,” says Steve. “We look at every project on its merits and if we feel we can run the project and the finances stack up then we’ll go there. We came very close to winning some work in Gibraltar recently and are currently looking at projects in Ireland and Saudi Arabia.”
The firm also wins its share of public-sector work; it’s currently working on a refurbishment project worth more than £1 million at Cossham Hospital in Bristol and has won contracts
» The three founding partners of ACES
£2.1 million: The value of the electrical work taken on by ACES on a recent data centre project
with the Ministry of Defence, although this has tailed off recently as the public-sector cuts have kicked in.
Like all electrical companies, however, ACES has felt the impact of the past few years. “From October and November 2008 to the early part of 2009 it just fell off a cliff and we’ve slowly come back from there,” says Steve. Turnover in 2009 fell from £6 million to £3.5 million, he says, before increasing to more than £4 million in 2010.
Things could have been considerably worse, however. The company had just taken on a major project in renovating what is now its company headquarters when it first realised the economy was turning. “We had an inkling back in 2008 when we were part-way through the refurbishment that the boom couldn’t carry on,” says Steve.
“We didn’t foresee that it was going to drop off a cliff , but we knew there was going to be a downturn and we started to make provisions then. We realised we had a fresh start with this place so we had it all value-engineered by the time we moved in. We looked at the insurance, the vehicles, the employees and what benefits they had and it worked out well. If you can maintain your turnover and decrease your overheads your profits go up disproportionately.” The company also took the decision to cut staff salaries – including those of the three directors – by 10 per cent; something Steve says prevented it from having to make a single redundancy.
Close relationsThe business has benefited, too, from solid working relationships with suppliers, says Steve. “Because of the ethic we had right from the start, when we hit a downturn like this I can phone up suppliers and say we need 5 per cent off ,” he says. “They know we’re going to pay them on time.” The company is close to having preferred suppliers for every
purchase, he says, from fire alarm sub-contractors to lighting protection firms, CCTV suppliers and electrical wholesalers.
It continues to directly employ staff today – some 26 of its 33-strong workforce are on the tools and it recently expanded the role of site supervisor to include elements of management systems, costings and health and safety – and draws on trusted sub-contractors to help meet demand in busy periods. “We have a very close relationship with all our sub-contractors and that means that if I’m in a meeting with a main contractor I know I can make promises and they will be delivered,” he adds. “Not all contractors can do that.”
One of the more recent additions to the in-house staff is George Thyer, who was taken on by the firm when one of the national contractors closed down its Bristol operation. “He’d just done his first year and we’ve seen him through college, studying a BTEC in electrical building services,” says Steve. “He’s on now to 3D CAD courses. Ideally, he’s our behind-the-scenes man now for our design-and-build projects.”
The business also has a long history of taking on apprentices; Tom Densley recently finished his apprenticeship and is now on the books, and the firm is currently evaluating whether to take on another. “We need to commit to training as an industry or we will face major problems in the future with numbers of quality electricians, which in turn can aff ect the rates demanded and impact on margins,” warns Steve.
One of the reasons for caution in this area, however, is that the business is anticipating something of a post-Olympics slump in both the electrical and construction industries. “There will be a lot of contractors who were tied up in that looking for work,” says Steve. “We think prices will hit the floor again at the end of this year.”
But in the longer term, ACES is well placed for the future, particularly with many larger firms having moved out of the area altogether.
“We’ve seen around 40 per cent redundancy across the construction industry so we’ve probably got it right as we are,” says Steve. “All we want to do now is maintain the turnover and perhaps increase it a bit. We can cope with anything from £3 million up to £7 million with what we’ve got here.”
It’s certainly not a bad return from £250.
» Nick Martindale is editor of Connections
‘We look at every project on its merits and if we feel we can run the project and the fi nances stack up then we’ll go there’
> Some of the 33-strong team at ACES
£250: The sum of money ACES’founders had to start the business back in 1989
The government’s Green Deal scheme off ers new business
opportunities for contractors and
electrical businesses as installers
and advisors
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
S et to launch this autumn, the Green Deal is the government’s most ambitious plan yet to increase energy eff iciency in homes and buildings in the UK. Billed as the “biggest refurbishment programme of its kind” it aims to tackle energy ineff iciency, through insulation, draught proofing, double glazing and other measures designed to cut energy usage.
Speaking at its launch, Greg Barker, climate change minister, described the Green Deal as the government’s “flagship energy-saving plan to transform the country’s homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run”. Significantly, householders and businesses will have the chance to improve the energy eff iciency of their properties at no upfront cost. Instead, the cost of implementing these measures will be repaid through savings on electricity bills.
How does it work?Householders and businesses interested in making savings on their energy bill through the Green Deal will need to have an independent assessment of their property undertaken by a Green Deal advisor. This assessment will outline which energy eff iciency measures could be installed and would give an energy saving compatible with the “golden rule”.
This is the principle that the charge collected through the electricity bill should be no greater than the expected energy bill savings estimated in the assessment. This concept has underpinned the design of the Green Deal from the start, and is an important protection for both customers and investors.
Once the consumer’s property has been assessed, the householder takes the advice to any Green Deal provider and enters into an agreement. The provider will contract a
Green Deal installation company to carry out the work and the improvements are then paid for by attachments to a property’s electricity bills. This will continue until the initial cost has been repaid.
So what is NICEIC doing?In November 2011, NICEIC’s parent company, the Ascertiva Group, was asked to take part in a Green
Deal pilot by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The pilot was established to test the installation and certification aspects of Green Deal.
Ascertiva and UKAS are now working
together to develop the certification process for
advisors and installers. “We believe the
Green Deal off ers real
The real
dealGreen Deal installation company to carry out the
work and the improvements are then paid for byattachments to a property’s electricity bills. Thiswill continue until the initial cost has been repaid.
So what is NICEIC doing?In November 2011, NICEIC’s parent company, the Ascertiva Group, was asked to take part in a Green
Deal pilot by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The pilot was established to test the installation and certification aspects of Green Deal.
opportunities for contractors to grow their business,” says Nick Wright, Green Deal project manager for Ascertiva. “Many contractors already harness the majority of skills required to be advisors or installers; those that embrace new areas will adapt more quickly to industry changes.
“As the UK strives to achieve ambitious targets for carbon reduction, the electrical industry finds itself in a leading position to take advantage of the opportunities that the drive for carbon reduction brings,” he adds.
“We aim to provide clear, concise information on the Green Deal and provide training and advice to support companies to make the most of this opportunity.”
Green Deal installerThe Green Deal installer will be at the frontline of delivering energy-eff icient measures to consumers. They will work closely with providers and be responsible for installing the energy eff iciency improvements.
NICEIC believes that, of the estimated 65 000 jobs the Green Deal is expected to create, the majority will be for those appropriately approved to carry out the work. “There is a legitimate concern that the Green Deal will only be open to the big six energy firms and that smaller firms will be edged out,” says Wright. “However, we believe that opportunities will exist for everyone in the market. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) will require the big six to use independent installers with a guaranteed spend of at least £1.3 billion.”
You can become a Green Deal installer by gaining certification to the Green Deal installer standard (PAS 2030) from a certification body such as NICEIC. For organisations that are familiar with the requirements of the microgeneration certification scheme, this should be familiar territory. However, there are a number of processes specific to the Green Deal that need to be considered and incorporated.
“We are aware that NICEIC installers have already been assessed against a number of the requirements in PAS 2030. Where appropriate, we will be taking into account existing certifications and registrations and using it as evidence towards Green Deal certification. This will be clarified when the Green Deal code of practice has been published and all requirements have been mapped against existing schemes,” says Wright.
Once successful, your company’s details will be added to the central register of installers, which is managed by the Green Deal Oversight Body.
Green Deal advisorThe Green Deal advisor undertakes the initial assessment of a property to establish its suitability for energy eff iciency measures. Organisations with domestic and non-domestic energy assessment experience and
qualifications will find that the Green Deal advice service complements their existing off erings.
For new entrants, the advice service represents an exciting opportunity. Green Deal advisors, depending on their expertise, may undertake assessments on domestic and commercial properties. Advisors must be certified by a UKAS-accredited certification body.
To operate as a Green Deal advisor, an individual must have a contract to work for a company providing the Green Deal advice service. The company must declare the advisor to its certification body and the details of the individual will be registered to the company.
In order to be eligible to work for a Green Deal advice company, the advisor must have active accreditation with an Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) scheme or approved organisation in Scotland. This should be relevant to the type of work that the advisor intends to undertake, either domestic or non-domestic.
Additionally the advisor must hold a Green Deal advisor qualification in alignment with the national occupational standard in the type of work that they wish to undertake, either domestic or non-domestic.
» For more information about the Green Deal log on to www.niceic.com/contractor/green-deal
‘Those companies that embrace new areas of development will adapt quicker to changes in the industry’
65,000: The number of jobs the Green Deal is expected to support by 2015
EPBD accreditation Gaining accreditation for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the fi rst step to becoming a Green Deal advisor. NICEIC is off ering discounted domestic energy assessment training and qualifi cations, in partnership with Elmhurst Energy.
Having gained the qualifi cation, you will be eligible to join Elmhurst’s EPBD scheme free of charge. If you quote NICDEAL to Elmhurst, you will be eligible for a 10 per cent discount on training. Call 01455 883 257 or email [email protected] for further details.
The UK renewable energy industry is growing at a faster rate than the UK economy overall. Government incentives such as MCS and Green Deal will make it a multi-billion £ sector over the next few years.
Can you or your business really afford not to take advantage?
Don’t miss out. Call our MCS team on 0843 290 3449 or visit www.niceic.com/contractor/microgeneration
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W hile times of rapid change can be exciting, they can also prove
challenging if they aff ect your job. For electrical contractors involved in lighting, now is such a time, with both rapid advancements in LED technology and new regulations in the off ing.
On the legislative front, the government is proposing altering the Building Regulations, in particular Part L, which covers the conservation of fuel and power. For lighting, the existing regulations set two minimums in new buildings. The first is that 75 per cent of lights have to be energy eff icient, either compact fluorescent or LED. The second is the minimum luminaire eff icacy of 45 lumens per circuit watt for residential building, and 55 for commercial.
Under the proposed changes, this would move to 60 lumens per circuit
Proposed regulatory changes and growing client demand for energy effi ciency are creating opportunities for contractors who can stay up to speed with lighting technology
specifications are changing rapidly as manufacturers improve products.
But this is problematical for contractors, who find it diff icult to keep track of the latest models, and for wholesalers who have to stock carefully as a particular design can be replaced with better products very quickly.
“LEDs are changing so fast that we have to revise our figures every six months,” says Mike Simpson, technical director at Philips. “The challenge is not just finding out about the technology, but keeping pace with it.”
One of the changes resulting from the improvements in technology is that LEDs are running cooler for a given light output, or can be run harder to give more light output for the same heat output. This is important for industrial, outdoor and even stadium lighting, a new area for LED lighting.
“The last bastion of
Lighting the way
watt for both, which makes it diff icult, if not impossible, for compact fluorescent lamps to comply. “This means that most, if not all, compact fluorescent lamps can’t be used, so it is driving people towards LEDs,” says Adrian Kitching, sales director at Megaman.
The other change is a proposed and rather complicated formula called LENI (lighting energy numeric indicator), which can be used as an alternative to the minimum energy eff icacy. This looks at the amount of energy actually used by lighting over the entire building – with allowances for factors such as controls and daylight – rather than the installed load of individual fittings.
“This is hard,” says Kitching. “Contractors will have to do calculations building by building, and will need training.” In reality, this is likely to lead to most contractors looking at the minimum eff icacy option, he says.
All this means most contractors are likely to need some training to understand LENI, if possible before the regulations come into force. They will also have to get used to looking more closely at lighting specifications, as lamps with the same wattage can have widely varying lumen outputs.
Matt Carpenter, strategic business unit director at Havells-Sylvania, suggests, however, that LENI can give contractors more flexibility as it applies to the building as a whole. “There is an enormous opportunity for contractors to be more creative in the installation,” he says, “but it does require diff erent skillsets in terms of drivers and ballast gear.”
Move forwardOn the technology side, the big movement is with LEDs – their
‘Trying to convince a customer to spend £20 on an LED lamp is quite hard unless you understand the benefi ts and payback period’
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traditional lighting is the stadium,” says Simpson, “but we’re only a short way away from LEDs taking over there as well. It is a very fast-moving technology.”
Knowledge is powerContractors who get their heads round this technology could expand into lighting consultancy, and be better placed to sell the higher-quality products.
“Trying to convince a customer to spend £20 on an LED lamp is quite hard unless you understand the benefits and the payback period,” says Carpenter.
One drawback for contractors is also one of the benefits of LED lighting, and that is their long life. A good-quality LED lamp can last 10 times longer than a halogen equivalent. This means less lucrative re-lamping work, especially in off ices and factories where contractors are often employed because of the diff iculty of reaching sockets on high ceilings and in stairwells. But by including reduced maintenance costs in the payback period calculation, it is easier for the contractor to convince the customer to go for the higher-cost products.
This has led to an increasing take-up of LED lighting in commercial premises. David Clews, lighting design manager at electrical wholesaler LED Electrical, says the commercial take-up of LED lighting has “grown considerably” in the past 18 months. He warns, however, that LEDs can be problematic in off ice situations because of glare. “A lot of off ices use diff used lighting so you don’t see the light itself, but there is not enough LED light output to do that,” he says. New models on the market now address this issue, he says, but this is another area in which contractors will be expected to advise.
The message for contractors is that they need to be up to speed with today’s technology and keep a close eye on the changing specifications. The carrot, however, is the potential of lucrative contracts advising clients and supplying new lights that not only meet regulatory and practical requirements, but substantially reduce a customer’s energy bill. It’s a long way from popping round to Mrs Smith’s to change a light bulb.
» Steve Rogerson is a freelance technology journalist
Emergency lighting The Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL) is warning contractors to be extra vigilant in ensuring emergency lighting installations are safe, aft er expressing concern about the increasing use of lighting tracks.
Bernard Pratley, director of ICEL, explains how this creates two potential problems. First, the light can be more easily moved when on a track and so may not be in the prime position for an emergency light and, second, if power is cut to the track then the battery is no longer being topped up.
“We want to see emergency lights on tracks physically locked into position and warnings on the track that they contain emergency luminaries,” says Pratley. “There should also be two supplies to the light, one that is permanent to supply the battery, even if the other, which turns lights on and off , is switched off .”
The body is proposing amendments to the IEC standards to correct this problem, but Pratley does not expect a revised standard to be issued before the summer of 2014.
Until then, the onus is on contractors to ensure emergency lighting is working properly.“If a contractor puts it on a track and someone else later moves it along, there could be
subsequent consequences for the contractor,” warns Pratley.
Need to know:
Case study
William Dyer Electrical
The speed of change can be illustrated well by two recent installations carried out by Lancashire-based NICEIC electrical contractor William Dyer Electrical.
The fi rst is Thumbs Up in Bury, a manufacturer of plasticware, where William Dyer replaced all the 400W metal halide fi ttings with low-energy low bay T5 fl uorescent lights – “saving the fi rm £14,000 a year in energy costs”, says managing director William Dyer.
Before the installation, the contractor used energy meters to measure the consumption and did so again aft er the installation. The job cost £28,000, meaning the payback period will be almost exactly two years. Just over 150 fi ttings were replaced.
The second example is air fi ltration company Camfi l Farr (pictured) in Rossendale, Lancashire. “We replaced their standard factory and offi ce fi ttings with LEDs,” says Dyer. “This is saving them £150,000 to £200,000 a year, but there were hundreds of fi ttings there. The job cost them £60,000, so the payback period was just a few months.”
For Dyer, being able to advise on diff erent solutions can only be good for business. “Contractors such as us need to diversify and energy saving is the way to go,” he says.
60: The minimum number of lumens per circuit watt proposed under the new Part L regulations
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Air Conditioning I Commercial Heating Domestic Heating I Photovoltaics
Installations of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems are booming on the back of demand for more energy-effi cient buildings. This should be good news for electrical contractors
MVHR SYSTEMS
By Rob Shepherd
A far cry from the draughty buildings of yesteryear, today modern homes and off ices are designed to retain
as much of their heat as possible in order to adhere to energy eff iciency legislation. With rising energy prices, retaining heat makes sense not just from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic one.
The quest for the airtight building has one major side eff ect, however, and that is the quality of the air within it. Each of us exhales between 10 and 75 litres of carbon dioxide and 175 grammes of water vapour an hour, while a family of four produces between 10 and 15 litres of water vapour each day through cooking, washing and breathing.
A lack of proper ventilation can lead to a build-up of contaminants that can have a detrimental eff ect on the health of a building’s occupants. High humidity can lead to dust mites and an increased likelihood of asthma and, unless ventilation is installed, these contaminants can also lead to damage to the fabric of the building itself.
It is therefore no surprise there has been a steep rise in the amount of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems being installed. It is estimated that there are more than 30,000 such installations a year in the UK, and this is growing at 20 per cent a year.
now available. “Traditional fans will negate any energy savings gained by insulating,” points out Hill. “However, MVHR will recover up to 95 per cent of the heat from waste exhaust air.”
In the commercial sector MVHR systems are increasingly common in off ices and schools; something that Griff iths Air Conditioning & Electrical Contractors knows all about. The Northampton-based company has been installing MVHR for many years and managing director Ian Griff iths says it is seeing a greater uptake of this technology in this sector compared with domestic dwellings as the return on investment is faster.
However, the calculations for a three-bedroom home are still impressive. “In this type of house it would cost £22 a year to use MVHR and, depending on the heat source, the savings would range from £200-£400 a year,” suggests Ian Mitchell, residential product marketing manager at Vent Axia. “Given that a typical installation costs £1,200, the return on investment, which includes the energy to run the unit, would be four to seven years.”
Simon Cook, electrical contracts manager at Walsall-based Measham Heating and Air Conditioning, says much of the work his company gets in this area involves installing systems that have been specified by consultants due to the Building Regulations. “This and the green agenda are key drivers in the increase in MVHR,” he says.
Before MVHR is installed the specifier needs to ensure the building is thermally eff icient and airtight; those
Air fi x
20 per cent: The rate at which the MVHR market is growing each year
“A well designed MVHR system replaces contaminants with clean, fresh air, while reusing any captured heat,” says Kelly Butler, marketing director at The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA). “We have seen an exponential growth in the use of this technology as the move towards zero-carbon homes is made.”
Inside and outMVHR systems consist of two ventilation ducts running next to one another, passing between the inside and the outside of a building. One carries cool, fresh air in and the other carries moist, stale air out. The airstreams run through a heat exchanger that allows the outgoing air to pass most of its heat to the incoming air, without the two airstreams actually mixing together.
A system must be sized to manage the airflow requirements for the dwelling in order to comply with the Building Regulations. “It must be capable of achieving the airflow rates in the installed condition, taking into account the number of rooms and the resistance to airflow of the associated ductwork,” says Jon Hill, technical manager at Polypipe Ventilation.
There have been massive improvements in the technology itself, with low specific fan powers and high heat exchange performance
most suitable have an air leakage lower than 7m³/hr 50pa. The building also needs to be a low-energy consumer.
Once the building is well insulated and equipped with energy-eff icient technology, the next step is to install heat recovery. “The relative merits of wall or loft-mounting the MVHR fan unit should be taken into account, as should the choice of roof or wall-mounted external terminations,” says Hill.
It is very important to install the ductwork correctly, says Cook. “If this is not done it can cause leakages and high system pressures, leading to increased noise levels and energy consumption, as well as ineff icient ventilation.”
Opportunity knocksIn October 2010 domestic ventilation became “notifiable work” as a part of the 2010 revision to Part F of the Building Regulations. This means that a suitably qualified installer must commission ventilation systems in new homes. “Training is incredibly important in ensuring minimum technical competency in the specification and installation of these systems,” says Butler.
Those willing to invest in developing their skills in this area could be set for a significant payback in years to come. Mitchell, for instance, warns of a skills shortage as sales continue to increase. “Now is the time for contractors to train to take advantage of the future opportunities,” he says.
New standards and legislation will also drive the market. Both the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and the Code for Sustainable Homes cite MVHR
to install continuous centralised ventilation,” says Lee Nurse, marketing director at Vent-Axia. “To meet this demand it is essential to train installers to fit the systems.”
The combination of tighter legislation and the need to conserve energy means a bright future for MVHR. This, in turn, creates genuine opportunities for contractors that are looking to diversify, train and become competent persons in this growing sector.
» Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist
‘We have seen an exponential growth in the use of this technology as the move towards zero-carbon homes is made’
How MVHR works • Dirty, stale air is extracted from all the
wet areas, through ceiling or wall-mounted extract fans.
• This air then makes its way through the extract ducting and the long rigid silencer to the heat recovery unit. Before being discharged outside, it passes through the plate or counterfl ow heat exchanger, giving up its heat to the cold fresh air coming into the house.
• The highly fi ltered supply air is warmed and heated up to the required temperature by the water heater coil or an electric heater element. This ensures there are no cold draughts.
• The supply air is now delivered into the supply ducting, through ceiling or wall-mounted supply fans, to all the habitable areas.
Need to know:
as newbuild best practice, while recent changes to SAP calculations reduce the current performance ratings given to MVHR when it is installed by someone who is classified as a competent person and is registered on a scheme.
BEAMA has been liaising with competent person scheme providers – including NICEIC – to run the new scheme, while manufacturers have voiced their approval of this initiative. “As we move towards the government’s target of all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016, it will be necessary
>Daikin recently completed installation of its VRV heat recovery system in 210 Pentonville in London, with units spread throughout the building
We continue with our series of answers to some of the more frequently asked questions put to the NICEIC Technical Helpline.
ANSWER
No. There is no requirement to install an RCD to provide additional protection in a SELV or PELV circuit.
When BS 7671: 2008 was updated to include Amendment 1, an error was made in Regulation 522.6.102, which relates to cables concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of less than 50 mm in an installation not intended to be under the supervision of a skilled or instructed person.
The regulation requires the cables concealed in the wall to be provided with additional protection by an RCD, unless they comply with indent (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Regulation 522.6.101. These indents refer to cables that incorporate an earthed metallic covering (indent (i)), or that are enclosed in earthed metal conduit/trunking (indents (ii) and (iii)), or that are provided with mechanical protection against penetration by nails etc (indent (iv)). However, the list of indents should also have included indent (vi), which refers to cables forming part of a SELV or PELV circuit.
Regulation 522.6.102 should actually have read:‘Where Regulation 522.6.101 applies and the installation is not intended to be under
the supervision of a skilled or instructed person, a cable installed in accordance with Regulation 522.6.101 (v), and not also complying with Regulation 522.6.101 (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi), shall be provided with additional protection by means of an RCD having the characteristics specified in Regulation 415.1.1.’
Therefore, a cable forming part of a SELV or PELV circuit concealed in a wall or partition is not required to be provided with additional protection by an RCD.
ANSWER
Yes. Clause 13.2(c) of BS 5839-6: 2004 (the Code of Practice for fire alarms in dwellings) recommends that all smoke alarms and heat alarms (if provided) in Grade D fire alarm systems in new dwellings should be interlinked, such that, when fire is detected by any smoke alarm or heat alarm, an audible fire alarm warning is given by all smoke alarms and heat alarms (if provided) in the dwelling.
The same recommendation of BS 5839-6 also applies for Grade E and F systems and in houses in multiple occupation (with certain exceptions), rented maisonettes, rented houses of two or more storeys and all houses of three or more storeys.
The interlinking may be by means of either wiring or radio-links. BS 5839-6 discusses the relative advantages and disadvantages of these two forms.
Yes. It is only where the smoke alarms and any heat alarms of the Grade D system are of a type that can be interlinked by wiring that they should all be connected to a single final circuit (clause 15.5(b) of BS 5839-6: 2004 refers).
If the form of interlinking is not capable of conducting current, such as where it employs radio-links rather than wiring, the smoke alarms and any heat alarms do not all have to be connected to a single final circuit (the note to clause 15.5(b) refers).
ANSWER
Clause 16.5(c) of BS 5839-6: 2004 recommends that conductors used for interconnection of smoke/heat alarms in a Grade D and E system should be readily distinguishable from those supplying power, such as by colour coding.
The object of this recommendation is to avoid the possibility of confusion between the interlink conductor, which generally operates at extra-low voltage, and the conductors providing the a.c. power supply. The interlink conductor should therefore be identifiable not by the colour brown (which is used for the line conductor of the 230 V a.c. power supply) but by some other colour appropriate to a line conductor, which must be in accordance with the requirements of BS 7671.
The colour used to identify the line conductor of a control circuit or extra-low voltage circuit must (excluding brown) be black, red, orange, yellow, violet, grey, white, pink or turquoise (Table 51 of BS 7671 refers).
The diagram below shows the simplest method of meeting this requirement where a three-core-and-earth cable having core insulation colours of brown, black and grey is used as the line, neutral and interlink conductors interconnecting heat or smoke alarms.
ANSWER
Extra-low voltage d.c. is defined in Part 2 of BS 7671 as a nominal voltage not exceeding 120 V ripple-free d.c., whether between conductors or to Earth.
The requirements for identification of conductors by colour are given in Table 51 of BS 7671. For extra-low voltage, a line conductor identified by colour has to be identified by brown, black, red, orange, yellow, violet, grey, pink or turquoise, and a neutral or mid-wire conductor identified by colour has to be identified blue.
The use of the terms ‘line’ and ‘neutral’ in relation to d.c. may seem strange but the definitions of these terms in Part 2 of BS 7671 do cover d.c. as well as a.c.
42 Initial verification – the importance of insulation resistance tests
47 Surge protective devices
51 Measurement of earth electrode resistance
54 Medical locations
59 Harmonics in electrical installations
62 Snags and solutions: A practical guide to everyday electrical problems,
now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671
A tragic incident
In December 2007, Emma Shaw, a 22-year-old mother, was electrocuted in her fl at.
At an inquest into Miss Shaw’s death, the jury heard how the tragedy resulted from a plasterboard fi xing screw being driven into a concealed cable during construction of the fl at the previous year, causing the metallic frame of a partition to become ‘live’ when the electrical installation was energised.
The jury was told that the damage to the cable had not been detected because insulation resistance tests had not been carried out properly on the wiring. As a result, the fault had remained undetected until water from a leak in a hot water cylinder came into contact with the metallic frame of the partition. This resulted in the water on the airing cupboard fl oor also becoming ‘live’, which led to the electrocution of Miss Shaw when she attempted to turn off the stopcock in the metallic water supply system whilst in contact with the water. As
Initial verification – the importance of insulation resistance tests In response to the outcome of a recent inquest into a tragic case of electrocution, this article aims to remind the reader of the correct procedure to be followed when performing insulation resistance testing as a part of the initial verification of a new installation. The article also draws attention to the need for insulation resistance testing to be carried out at a number of stages during the construction of an electrical installation, culminating with final testing as part of the verification process prior to the energisation of an installation and the issue of an Electrical Installation Certificate.
the fl at was on the fi rst fl oor, no RCD protection had been provided, which was considered acceptable practice prior to the introduction of the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations in 2008.
Last December, aft er listening to two weeks of evidence, the inquest jury found that the initial testing of the electrical installation in the fl at was ‘not carried out to a professional standard, if at all’.
Evidence at the inquest revealed that when the electrics were installed, a series of errors were made. These included:
• an electrician’s mate who had no relevant qualifi cations or competence, testing and approving the wiring in the fl at
• the Electrical Installation Certifi cate being completed incorrectly despite having been checked by the company’s Qualifi ed Supervisor.
The jury said that there had been a ‘failure by the company to assess the capabilities of their workforce and constantly monitor their development’ and a ‘failure to comply with their health and safety standards’. They concluded that Miss Shaw had been unlawfully killed.
The legal requirements
Electrical installation work should have been carried out in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
The requirements of regulations 5 and 16 are particularly pertinent to this case and are reproduced below for ease of reference.
Regulation 5. Strength and capability of electrical
equipment
No electrical equipment shall be put into use where its strength and capability may be exceeded in such a way as may give rise to danger.
Regulation 16. Persons to be competent to prevent danger
and injury
No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.
In general, installations that conform to the standards laid down in BS 7671: 2008 (as amended) are likely to achieve conformity with the relevant parts of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (the note by the Health and Safety Executive in the foreword to BS 7671 refers).
Requirements in BS 7671
One of the fundamental principles laid down in BS 7671 is that appropriate inspection and testing of an electrical
Fig 1 Insulation resistance test between line and neutral
Fig 2 Insulation resistance between live conductors and Earth (before connection to the meter)
installation should be carried out: • during erection, and• on completion, before being put into serviceand that such verifi cation should be performed by
competent persons (Regulation 134.2.1 refers).Part 6 of BS 7671 contains more detailed requirements
relating to inspection and testing. Regulation Group 612.3 is concerned with insulation resistance testing.
Insulation resistance testing
Carrying out an insulation resistance test gives an indication of the condition of the insulation of conductors and any equipment to which they are connected. Eff ective insulation is necessary to provide basic protection and to prevent short-circuits and earth faults.
An insulator should have high insulation resistance, typically many megohms (MΩ).
The insulation resistance of a conductor is inversely proportional to its length – that is, its insulation resistance decreases as the conductor’s length increases and vice versa. It follows that the insulation resistance of a complete electrical installation, or a section of it, will be less than that of a single circuit of that installation.
By reference to Table 61 of BS 7671, Regulation 612.3.2 indicates that the minimum acceptable value of insulation resistance for a distribution circuit with a distribution board or consumer unit and all its fi nal circuits connected is 1 MΩ, although values of this order, particularly in a new installation, would warrant further investigation.
Prior to carrying out an insulation resistance test, any equipment likely to infl uence the test results obtained, or be damaged by the test voltage, such as surge protective devices, dimmers, electronic switches and high frequency luminaires, should be disconnected.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to disconnect such equipment, or where doubt exists as to whether all such equipment has been disconnected, the following options are available.
• Insulation resistance may be measured between live conductors and protective conductor(s) with all line and neutral conductors connected together (Regulations 612.3.1 and 612.3.3 refer). Where this method is used, there is no potential diff erence between the line and neutral terminals of connected equipment that could adversely aff ect the internal components.
• The test voltage applied may be reduced to 250 V d.c. but the minimum acceptable value of insulation resistance remains 1 MΩ (see Regulation 612.3.2).
RCDs may also aff ect insulation resistance test results. It may therefore be necessary to disconnect RCDs while the tests are performed and/or to test the wiring on the load side of RCDs separately, to ensure the wiring is included in the testing.
Note: The following procedure relates to the initial verifi cation of a single-phase low voltage (typically 230 V) installation.
Temporarily disconnect all current-using equipment. Remove any lamps from lampholders. Place all switches in the ON position. Two-way and, where fi tted, intermediate, switches will need to be operated during the test procedure to ensure that all live conductors are subjected to the testing.
Confi rm that the circuit or circuits to be tested are de-energised and isolated. Then, using a high resistance ohmmeter set to 500 V d.c. and to the highest resistance range on the instrument, carry out the following test procedure and record the results obtained.
Test between line and neutral on the load side of the main switch (in the OFF/isolation position, but with all the circuit protective devices in the ON position), as shown in Fig 1.
Then test between live conductors and circuit protective conductor connected to the means of earthing (with the main switch and all the circuit protective devices in the ON position), as shown in Fig 2.
However, where the consumer unit has been connected to the meter, the test must be carried out on the load side of the main switch (in the OFF/isolation position, but with all the circuit protective devices in the ON position).
It is essential that, when performing an insulation resistance test between live and protective conductors, the protective conductors are connected to the earthing arrangement – that is, to the general mass of the Earth (as implied by the capitalised word Earth) to comply with Regulation 612.3.1.
The connection to Earth is typically achieved by the protective conductor being connected to the main earthing terminal (MET) of the installation, to which the earthing and main protective bonding conductors are also connected, with the MET connected to the earthing arrangement (the distributor’s earthing facility (TN system) or the installation earth electrode (TT system), as applicable).
Having the protective conductors connected to Earth during the test has the advantage that the test might detect any contact between a live conductor and any ‘unearthed’ metalwork (such as a concealed part of the building fabric or an isolated section of pipework). If the unearthed metalwork has some relatively low resistance contact with Earth (even hundreds of thousands of ohms), the defect can be identifi ed by the person using the insulation test instrument. Such a dangerous defect might be caused by the penetration of a nail, screw or similar making contact with a live conductor and the unearthed metalwork. If not corrected, the defect would create a risk of electric shock.
Initial verifi cation – you may need to test again
In many cases there will be a signifi cant time interval between the initial placement of conductors (sometimes referred to as ‘fi rst fi xing’) and the fi nal handover of the installation. It is possible for damage to have occurred during this time when, for example, cables were plastered over and fl ooring and ceilings were installed.
It is essential therefore that all the relevant inspection and tests are performed as part of the initial verifi cation of the electrical installation. In many cases, this will require inspections and tests carried out earlier to be repeated. It may not be safe to rely on inspection and test results obtained at an early stage of the installation process.
On completion of the initial verifi cation process an Electrical Installation Certifi cate, complete with schedules of inspection and test results, should be issued to the person ordering the work (see Regulation 632.1).
Initial verifi cation must be carried out by competent persons (Regulation 610.5). Additionally, the authenticity and integrity of the completed certifi cation and associated schedules should be confi rmed (Regulation 631.5). Where the inspection and testing has been carried out by an NICEIC Approved Contractor or registered Domestic Installer, the results of the inspection and testing should be carefully reviewed by the registered Qualifi ed Supervisor.
During their assessment visits, NICEIC Area Engineers will be focusing on the importance of Qualifi ed Supervisors and other responsible persons carrying out the correct inspection and testing procedure before electrical work is put into service. Compliance with the initial verifi cation procedure set out in Part 6 of BS 7671 is essential even where there may be commercial pressures to cut corners. It is also essential that, during NICEIC assessment visits, Qualifi ed Supervisors are able to demonstrate that they are fully empowered by their managers to fulfi l their safety responsibilities.
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Further informationFor further information about insulation resistance testing, please see the enclosed Pocket Guide No 26, Insulation resistance testing – low voltage and FELV circuits. For further copies of the guide, telephone 0870 0130382 or email [email protected]
Further detailed advice and guidance on inspecting and testing electrical installations, both for initial verification and for condition reporting, can be found in a number of NICEIC books, including the popular Inspection, Testing and Certification (including periodic reporting), now in its 6th edition.
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part 1This is the fi rst article in a series of three relating to overvoltage protection. The other two articles in the series will appear in future issues of Connections.
In this fi rst article we look at the nature, origins and eff ects of transient overvoltages in electrical installations, and we briefl y look at why the installation of SPDs might be required.
Part 1 – Transient overvoltages and why SPDs might be required
A transient overvoltage in a power system is a high voltage ‘spike’ superimposed on the normal 50 Hz supply voltage, as shown in Fig 1. These transients can have peak voltages in the region of 6 kV and they typically last for around 50 sec.
Such transient overvoltages are encountered in electrical installations from time to time. They are usually of atmospheric origin or due to switching.
Surge protective devices Requirements for SPDs (surge protective devices) to be provided in electrical installations in some circumstances first appeared in BS 7671 in 2001. But it was not until July 2011 that Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008 added requirements for the selection and installation of SPDs, via Section 534 – Devices for protection against overvoltage. Appendix 16 of BS 7671, also added by Amendment 1, gives additional information on the installation of SPDs.
Overvoltages of atmospheric origin
Transient overvoltages of atmospheric origin are caused by:
• direct lightning strikes on an electrical installation or low voltage lines of the supply network, or
• lightning strikes in the vicinity of low voltage overhead lines supplying (or within) an installation, or on the ground close to underground cables.
For a lightning strike close to an overhead line, a transient overvoltage will travel via the conductors of that line. For a ground strike near an underground cable, the transient overvoltage will travel through the ground and enter the protective conductor of the cable. In either case, the transient may reach an electrical installation.
Overvoltages due to switching
Transient overvoltages due to switching are generated in inductances, such as those of electric motors and discharge lighting ballasts, when there is an abrupt change in current caused by the opening or closing of contacts in a switch or circuit-breaker.
Some eff ects of transient overvoltages
Overvoltages due to lightning in the vicinity of low voltage overhead lines are infrequent but tend to have high peak voltages and can contain signifi cant amounts of energy. These overvoltages can cause immediate failure of electrical or electronic equipment.
Overvoltages due to switching can occur hundreds of times in a day but tend to be smaller in amplitude than
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Fig 1 Transient overvoltages superimposed on the normal supply voltage waveform
Depending upon their magnitude, frequency and duration
Damage(immediate failure)
Degradation(leading to failure
at some pointin the future)
Resulting in Additional costs due to:
1. disruption of normal business2. replacement of equipment 3. increased maintenance costs
those due to lightning. Switching overvoltages can be particularly relevant to modern electronic equipment, which tends to be more susceptible to damage by overvoltages than its older, more robust equivalents. The magnitude of a switching overvoltage may not be suffi cient to cause immediate failure of electronic equipment, but the frequent occurence of these overvoltages can lead to degradation of the equipment, such that failure may occur some time aft er the fi rst occurence of the overvoltage.
Diagnosing the cause of the failure of electronic equipment is complex and it is diffi cult to quantify the causes of failure. The results of one study found that 28% of failures of electronic equipment were due to transient overvoltages. However, the failure rate for any particular location will be infl uenced by a number of local conditions, and a 28% fi gure will not be appropriate in all cases.
The tripping of RCDs is another possible eff ect of transient overvoltages. This can result in the disruption of important services.
Fig 2 illustrates how transient overvoltages of various degrees of severity and frequency can lead to degragation and failure of equipment and to unwanted tripping of RCDs.
SPDs
An SPD is a device that automatically provides a path to Earth in the event of a transient overvoltage. This path
Fig 3 Operation principle of an SPD
SPDSurge Equipment
Surge(close)
Normal(open)
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diverts the energy contained in the transient away from sensitive equipment being protected, as illustrated in Fig 3.
Remaining articles in this series
The next article in this series will look at the criteria for deciding whether the installation of SPDs is required.
The third and fi nal article will cover the procedures for installing SPDs, as described in Section 534 and Appendix 16 of BS 7671.
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Earth electrodes for protective purposes can be required for a number of reasons, including:
• as the means of earthing for an electrical installation forming part of a TT or IT system (the installation earth electrode)
• to earth the neutral (or star point) of: • a substation transformer • a generator that supplies an installation not
connected to a public electricity supply, where required, or
• a generator that provides a switched alternative to a public electricity supply.
Maximum acceptable resistance
The maximum acceptable value of resistance for an earth electrode or network of electrodes depends on the function the electrode is intended to fulfi l. Consequently, the test results obtained when measuring the resistance must be checked against the relevant criteria in BS 7671 or other applicable standard to confi rm compliance, or continued compliance, as applicable.
There are a number of distinct test methods that can be employed to measure the resistance of an earth electrode, including:
• for an installation earth electrode, measurement of the earth fault loop impedance external to the installation using an earth fault loop impedance test instrument,
• the ‘fall of potential’ method using an earth electrode test instrument having three or four terminals,
• the ‘fall of potential’ method employing a current transformer clamp and temporary test electrodes,
• stakeless testing using one or more clamp units.
This article concentrates on performing the ‘fall of potential’ test using an earth electrode test instrument, as described in Annex B of HD 60364-6: 2007 – Low voltage electrical installations – Part 6: Verifi cation, the European Standard on which Part 6 of BS 7671 is based. A similar method of performing this test is described in BS 7430 – Code of practice for protective earthing of electrical installations.
Some of the other available methods (mentioned above) will be covered in future issues of Connections.
Fall of potential test using an earth electrode test instrument
Using an earth electrode test instrument to BS EN 61557-5: 2007 (the relevant product standard for test equipment for systems up to 1000 V a.c. and 1500 V d.c), select the appropriate resistance range and applied test voltage setting on the instrument. Then connect the instrument to the electrode under test and to the temporary test electrodes, as shown in Figs 1 and 2 below, as appropriate to the type of instrument.
In general, a test voltage of 50 V is appropriate. However, for reasons of safety, where carrying out earth electrode testing on farms and in other locations where livestock are likely to be present, a test voltage not exceeding 25 V should be applied.
With reference to Figs 1 and 2 below, it is important that the two temporary test electrodes are suffi ciently far apart so that their resistance areas do not overlap.
The temporary current electrode is placed in the ground some distance away from the earth electrode under test. Unless the soil resistivity is very high, a distance of 15-25 metres is usually suffi cient for this purpose. The temporary potential electrode is placed approximately mid-way, in a straight line, between the other two electrodes.
The test instrument is connected as follows:
Electrode Connections to instrument terminals
Four-terminal instrument
Three-terminal instrument
Electrode under test
C1 and P1 * E
Temporary voltage electrode
P2 P
Temporary current electrode
C2 C
* In the case of a four terminal instrument, where the resistance of the test lead is insignificant, a ‘lead-nulling’ cross-connection can be made between terminals C1 and P1. With some instruments, such a cross-connection is not required. Consequently, reference should always be made to the manufacturer’s instructions where using an instrument with which you are not familiar.
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Measurement of earth electrode resistance Where an earth electrode is installed for protective purposes, it is essential to confirm the eff ectiveness of the connection made by the electrode with the general mass of Earth. This must be done prior to the electrode being put into service and at suitable intervals throughout the life of the installation or equipment served by the electrode. Measurement of the electrode’s resistance to Earth, which is the subject of this article, is a vital part of this confirmation process.
As a ‘Rule of thumb’, the distance between the electrode under test and the furthest (current) temporary electrode should be at least 10 times the longest dimension of the electrode under test. So, for a rod type electrode of 2.5 m length, the distance between the rod under test and the temporary current electrode should be not less than 25 m.
Regardless of whether a three-terminal or four-terminal instrument is used, the test instrument passes a current through the ground between the electrode under test and the temporary current electrode. At the same time, the voltage drop between the electrode under test and the general mass of earth is determined by means of the voltage (potential diff erence) between the electrode under test and the temporary potential electrode. The instrument then has suffi cient information to calculate and display an ohmic value for the resistance of the electrode under test.
To confi rm that the measured resistance value is reliable, two further readings are taken with the temporary potential electrode moved 6 m nearer to, and further from, the electrode under test. If the three results are substantially the same, the mean of the three results may be taken as the resistance of the electrode under test. If the results obtained are signifi cantly diff erent, the above test procedure should be repeated with the temporary current electrode installed further from the electrode under test.
Always ensure that the installation earthing conductor
is reconnected to the earth electrode on completion of
testing, and before the installation is re-energised.
ExampleSuppose that the following readings were obtained when testing the resistance of an earth electrode using an earth electrode test instrument:
R1 = 37.3 Ω
R2 = 39.1 Ω
R3 = 41.2 Ω
Determine the earth electrode resistance using the information above.
Resistance of electrode = R1 +
R
2 +
R
3
3Resistance of electrode = 37.3 + 39.1 + 41.2
Ω 3Resistance of electrode = 39.2 Ω
A future issue of Connections will cover the measurement of earth electrode resistance using the ‘Fall of potential’ method employing a current transformer clamp and temporary test electrodes, and stakeless testing using one or more clamp units.
Testing of an earth electrode using a loop impedance test instrument will not be covered, as this is performed in the same manner as the familiar testing the external earth fault loop impedance of an installation.
2000
20
200TEST
OFF
15-25 m
6 m 6 m
E P C
Method 1
(using a three-terminalproprietary earth electrode test instrument)
Measurement of installation earth electrode resistance
Electrodeunder test
Temporarycurrent electrode
Temporaryvoltage electrode
25 50
V
Fig 1 Connections for fall in potential test method using a four-terminal earth electrode resistance instrument
Fig 2 Connections for fall in potential test method using a three-terminal earth electrode resistance instrument
15-25 m
6 m 6 m
Method 1
(using a four-terminalproprietary earth electrode test instrument)
Measurement of installation earth electrode resistance
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T he first article in this series – published in the previous issue of Connections − looked at the scope of Section 710. It also described the system of Grouping for medical
locations used in Section 710 and how the system of classification of safety service supplies given in Section 560 is applied to medical locations by Section 710.
part 2Electric shock protection
As with most other installations in special locations, the protective measures of obstacles and placing out of reach are not permitted in medical locations. Similarly, the protective measures of non-conducting location, earth-free local equipotential bonding and electrical separation for the supply of more than one item of current-using equipment are not permitted (Regulations 710.410.3.5 and 710.410.3.6 refer).
Automatic disconnection of Supply (ADS)
IT systemsExcept for the circuits listed below, in Group 2 locations Regulation 710.411.6.3.1 requires the use of an IT system for all final circuits supplying medical equipment and systems intended for life support, surgical applications and other equipment that is located in, or may be moved into, the patient environment. This requirement does not apply to the following circuits, which are required to be provided
Medical locations This article is the second of a series of three on the requirements of Section 710 of BS 7671 for the design, installation, and inspection and testing of electrical installations of medical locations.
The article looks at the requirements of Section 710 for electric shock protection. It covers the requirements for the protective measure of Automatic Disconnection of Supply that are in addition to the general requirements in Section 411. It also covers the additional requirements for the protective measure of extra-low voltage provided by SELV or PELV, and additional protection by supplementary bonding.
with additional protection by an RCD, as pointed out later in this article.
• Circuit for a supply to provide movement of fixed operating tables.
• Circuits for X-ray units (such as where a mobile X-ray unit is brought into a Group 2 location).
• Circuits for large equipment with a rated power greater than 5 kVA.
An IT system is one in which there is no direct connection between live parts and Earth, but in which the exposed-conductive-parts of the installation are earthed. Fig 1 shows a typical arrangement for an IT system.
The aim of an IT system is to permit a single earth fault to exist on a monitored circuit, whilst ensuring the operation of a device for automatic disconnection of the supply in the event of a second fault. This arrangement is particularly appropriate where the risks of the loss of supply are considered greater than the risk of a fault existing, such as in an operating theatre.
Furthermore, Regulation 710.512.1.2 requires that the total loss of power for Group 2 medical locations is prevented.
Where a group of rooms perform the same function, at least one IT system is required (Regulation 710.411.6.3.1 refers). Where there are a range of rooms having diff erent functions, the electrical installation designer should consider whether additional IT systems are required.
An IT system is required to be equipped with an insulation monitoring device to BS EN 61557-8, which is subject to additional requirements listed in indents
(i) to (vi) of Regulation 710.411.6.3.1. Also, for each IT system, an audible and visual alarm system, complying with the requirements of indents (vii) to (x) of Regulation 710.411.6.3.1, must be provided at a suitable place so that the alarm can be permanently monitored by the medical staff , with the signal being forwarded to technical staff .
Touch voltages and disconnection times
For TN, TT and IT systems, Regulation 710.411.3.2.5 requires that the so-called ‘touch voltages’ between simultaneously accessible exposed-conductive-parts and/or extraneous-conductive-parts in Group 1 and 2 locations do not exceed 25 V a.c. or 60 V d.c. This requirement is met by providing supplementary bonding as referred to later in this article.
Also, for TN and TT systems, Regulation 710.411.3.2.5 requires the disconnection times detailed in Table 710 not to be exceeded in Group 1 and 2 locations. For example, for a nominal voltage of 230 V, this requirement reduces the maximum permitted disconnection time for a circuit of a TN system from the usual value of 0.4 s to 0.3 s, and for a circuit of a TT system, the maximum permitted disconnection time is reduced from 0.2 s to 0.05 s.
Use of RCDs
GeneralIn many types of medical location, a high usage of medical equipment that generates significant protective conductor current is to be expected. Where this is the case, the unwanted operation of RCDs must be avoided by subdivision of the installation where necessary, so that a single RCD protects only a suitably limited number of items of equipment that generate protective conductor current (Regulation 710.411.3.2.1 refers). In this respect, it should be appreciated that the operation of an RCD may be caused by a value of residual current of little more than 50 % of the RCD’s rated residual operating current, I
Δn.
RCDs used for Group 1 or Group 2 locationsAny RCDs used for Group 1 or Group 2 locations must be of Type A according to BS EN 61008 or BS EN 61009, or Type B according to IEC 62423, depending on the nature of the possible fault current arising. The use of Type AC RCDs is not permitted. (Regulation 710.411.3.2.1 refers.)
A Type A RCD is one intended to operate for residual sinusoidal alternating currents and residual pulsating direct currents, whether suddenly applied or slowly rising. The device is marked with the symbol shown in Fig 2. A Type B RCD is one intended to operate for residual sinusoidal alternating currents up to 1000 Hz, residual alternating currents superimposed on a smooth direct current of 0.4 times the rated residual operating current, residual pulsating direct currents superimposed on a smooth direct current of 0.4 times the rated residual operating current, and residual direct currents which may result from rectifying circuits, whether suddenly applied or slowly rising. The device is marked with the symbols shown in Fig 3.
Additional protection by RCDs
In TN systems and TT systems, additional protection by means of an RCD is required for the following circuits:
• all final circuits rated up to 63 A serving Group 1 locations, and
• the following circuits of Group 2 locations: • circuit for a supply to provide movement of
fixed operating tables, or • circuits for X-ray units (such as where a
mobile X-ray unit is brought into a Group 2 location), or,
• circuits for large equipment with a rated power greater than 5 kVA.
(Regulation 710.411.4 and Regulation 710.411.5 (by reference to Regulation 710.411.4) refer.)
As in any other location, an RCD used for additional protection in a medical location must have a rated residual operating current (I
Δn) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at a residual current of 5I
might be installed to meet the requirements set out in Section 710.
The supplementary bonding conductors must be so sized and arranged that their resistance does not exceed the ohmic values given in Regulation 710.415.2.2, and their cross-sectional area must be at least that required by Regulation Group 544.2.
There is a concern in the Section 710 that the use of supplementary bonding installed in a loop may lead to electromagnetic interference (EMI) that could aff ect certain medical equipment (Regulation 710.444 refers). To limit the possible eff ects of EMI in Group 2 medical locations, the informative note attached to Regulation 710.415.2.3 recommends that such loops are avoided by the use of radial wiring patterns. With such patterns, the supplementary bonding conductors are installed and run individually back to the local equipotential reference bonding bar, as illustrated in Fig 4.
Further articles in this series
The remaining article in this series will cover inspection and testing required at various stages in the life of the installation.
Fig 4 – Medical IT system (based on Fig 710.2 of BS 7671
The use of an RCD to provide additional protection is not permitted in a medical IT system (Regulation 710.411.3.3 refers).
TT systems
Regulation 710.411.6 stipulates that RCDs must be used as the devices for automatic disconnection for protection against electric shock where a TT system is used for a Group 1 or Group 2 location. This is likely to be necessary in any case because the values of earth fault loop impedance (Zs) in a TT system are usually too high to allow the use of overcurrent protective devices for this purpose.
Insulation monitoring
Regulation 710.411.4 requires the insulation level of all the live (line and neutral conductors) in a TN-S system to be monitored.
Extra-low voltage provided by SELV or PELV
Where SELV or PELV is employed in Group 1 or 2 locations, the voltage must be limited to a value not exceeding 25 V a.c. or 60 V d.c., with basic protection being provided by insulation of live parts in accordance with Regulation 416.1 or by barriers or enclosures in accordance with Regulations 416.2 (Regulation 710.414.1 refers).
Where PELV is used in a Group 2 location, exposed-conductive-parts of equipment within the location must be connected to the circuit protective conductor (Regulation 710.414.4.1 refers).
The use of FELV is not permitted as a protection measure against electric shock in medical locations (Regulation 710.411.7 refers).
Additional protection by supplementary equipotential bonding
Without exception, it is a requirement in both Group 1 and Group 2 medical locations that supplementary equipotential bonding is provided for additional protection against electric shock (Regulation 710.415.2.1 refers).
The purpose of this bonding is to limit the touch voltages that will exist between exposed-conductive-parts and/or extraneous-conductive-parts under earth fault conditions to not more than 25 V a.c. or 60 V d.c., as mentioned earlier in this article.
The items to be connected by the supplementary bonding are listed in indents (i) to (vii) of Regulation 710.415.2.1. These are to be connected by bonding conductors to an equipotential bonding busbar located in or near the medical location (Regulations 710.415.2.1 and 710.415.2.3 refer). Fig 4 below gives an example of how the supplementary bonding arrangement
LoadCT
Alarm panel
Medical gasesand boom
Antistatic grids(if installed)
If needed
Taps & pipes
Monitoring systemincluding insulation monitor
Equipotentialreferencebonding bar
Protectiveearth bar
N
PE
L
Typical medical IT system with insulation monitoring
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BASEC Quality ISO9001 management system and has , so you can be doubly assured that Flexishield will continue to deliver the highest of quality and performance required of a safety cable.
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part 3The fi rst article in the series explained what harmonic currents are and where they come from. The second article explained what triplen harmonic currents are and how the presence of these can increase the conductor size required for a three-phase circuit.
Part three – The impact of triplen harmonic currents on cable sizing procedures
The tabulated values of current-carrying capacity in Appendix 4 of BS 7671 for four-core cables in three phase a.c. circuits are based on balanced load conditions without any harmonic current being present. For these operating conditions, the current, and hence the heating eff ect, in the neutral conductor is zero. As a result, the current-carrying capacity of a four-core cable is equal to that of a three-core cable of the same construction and conductor size.
If a four-core cable is used to supply an unbalanced three-phase load, there will be a current in the neutral conductor. In the absence of harmonics, the current and heating eff ect in the neutral will be off set by a reduction in current and heating eff ect in the line conductors. Consequently the current-carrying capacity of the circuit is considered to be the same as for the corresponding balanced three-phase load.
The situation is diff erent where harmonic content is present in the circuit current. Any triplen harmonic content will not cancel in the neutral conductor of a three-phase, four-wire circuit. The neutral will therefore carry current (and consequently produce heat) even under balanced three-phase load conditions. If the load is unbalanced, the current (and heating eff ect) in the neutral will be even greater. Furthermore, harmonic currents – triplens and others – will cause heating in the line conductors. All these heating eff ects tend to reduce the current-carrying capacity of circuit conductors compared with if no harmonic content was present.
Procedures for sizing four-core and fi ve-core cables carrying triplen harmonic current
Section 5.5 of Appendix 4 of BS 7671 gives guidance for where either a four-core cable or a fi ve-core cable with four loaded cores is used to supply current having a triplen harmonic content to a balanced three-phase load.
The section advises that when sizing the live (line and neutral) conductors of the four- or fi ve-core cable, it may be necessary to apply an additional rating factor in order to take account of the heating eff ect caused by the triplen harmonic current in the line and neutral conductors. The rating factor is additional to any other rating factors that may be applicable, such as C
a for ambient temperature, C
g
for grouping or Ci for thermal insulation, which are listed in
section 3 of Appendix 4. The additional rating factor is chosen from Table 4Aa of
section 5.5 of Appendix 4 (reproduced below) if the neutral conductor is of the same material and cross-sectional area as the line conductors. The values of the rating factor in Table 4Aa are based on the 3rd harmonic component of the line current but in practice they may also be used where other triplens (9th, 15th and so on) are present in the line current.
When sizing a cable’s conductors using Table 4Aa (together with any other applicable rating factors), the conductor size must be selected on the basis of either the line current or the neutral current, depending on the percentage 3rd (triplen) harmonic content of the line current. If this percentage is up to 33, sizing must be based on the line current, as this current then exceeds the neutral current. If the percentage is more than 33 (strictly 33⅓), sizing must be based on the neutral current, as this current then exceeds the line current.
The example below illustrates the application of the rating factor selected from Table 4Aa.
Example A three-phase, four-wire circuit with a design load (fundamental line current) of 60 A is to be installed using a
Harmonics in electrical installations BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations) introduced a range of requirements for safety where harmonic currents are present in an installation. This article is the last in a series of three that began in Issue 179 of Connections (Autumn 2011). It looks at the procedures in Appendix 4 of BS 7671 for sizing four-core and five-core cables carrying current having a triplen harmonic content.
Fig 1 – Table 4Aa of Appendix 4 of BS 7671 – Rating factors for triple harmonic currents in four-core and five-core cables
Third harmonic content of line
current* (%)
Rating factor
Size selection is based on line current
Size selection is based on neutral current
0-15 1.0 -
15-33 0.86 -
33-45 - 0.86
>45 - 1.0
* NOTE: The third harmonic content expressed as total harmonic distortion
on the current ratings for a four-core armoured 70 ˚C thermoplastic insulated cable (Regulation 512.1.5 refers), which are given in Table 4D4A of BS 7671, Appendix 4.
The cable will be installed on a perforated metal cable tray (Reference Method E or F of section 7.1 of Appendix 4) alongside a group of four other circuits (grouping factor C
g = 0.75, from Table 4C1). The expected maximum
ambient temperature in service is 40 ˚C (ambient temperature factor C
a = 0.87, from Table 4B1). Overcurrent
protection is to be provided by a BS EN 60898-1 circuit-breaker inserted in the line and neutral conductors.
For each of the following four load conditions, determine the minimum size of cable that meets the requirements of BS 7671 for current carrying capacity.• A load that does not produce any 3rd harmonic content.• A load with a 3rd harmonic current of 25 % of the
fundamental current.• A load with a 3rd harmonic content of 40 % of the
fundamental current.• A load with a 3rd harmonic content of 50 % of the
fundamental current.Assume that no other harmonic content is present.The key stages in the calculations are shown in Fig 2, left .
Where a range of harmonic currents is present
The procedure described in Section 5.5 of Appendix 4 only takes into account triplen harmonic content, including the consequent heating eff ect in the line conductors as well as in the neutral.
Where, due to the nature of the load, signifi cant levels of other harmonics (5th, 7th and so on) are present, the heating eff ect of those harmonics on the line conductor also needs to be taken into account.
For cables with conductors of cross-sectional area less than 50 mm2, section 5.6 advises that the eff ect of harmonic currents other than triplens can be taken into account by applying a rating factor C
h to the fundamental
design current.
where I1 = 50 Hz current
Ih5
= 5th harmonic current I
hn = nth harmonic current
It should be noted that section 5.6 uses the abbreviation I
f for fundamental current. However, to maintain
consistency with other sections of Appendix 4, the formula shown above uses I
1.
For cable sizes of 50 mm2 and larger, the increase in conductor resistance due to skin eff ect and proximity eff ect at higher harmonic frequencies will also need to be taken into account, and further guidance on this can be found in BS IEC 60287-1-1.
Fig 2 – Key stages of calculations
% 3rd harmonic (h)
0 % 25 % 40 % 50 %
Fundamental line current (I1l)
60 A 60 A 60 A 60 A
3rd harmonic line current
(I3l= )
0 A 15 A 24 A 30 A
Design line current(Ibl=) √ I1
2+I32)
60.0 A 61.8 A 64.6 A 67.1 A
Design neutral current
(Ibn = 3I3l)
0.0 A 45.0 A 72.0 A 90.0 A
Guidance from Table 4Aa
Calculation based on line
Calculation based on line
Calculation based
on neutral
Calculation based
on neutral
Protective device rated current (In)
63 A 63 A 80 A 100 A
Ca 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87
Cg 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77
Table 4Aa Rating Factor(C4Aa)
1 0.86 0.86 1
Min tabulated current-carrying
capacity required
It (min) = .
94.0 A 109.4 A 138.9 A 149.3 A
Nearest higher actual
It, from Table 4D4A, col 5
110 A 110 A 163 A 163 A
Min conductor size required
25 mm2 25 mm2 50 mm2 50 mm2
Thus, for the above example, the minimum conductor size required for a four-core cable (or a five-core cable with one core used as a protective conductor) is 25 mm2 where h = 0%, 25 mm2 where h = 25%, 50 mm2 where h = 40%, or 50 mm2 where h = 50%. Larger conductor sizes would be required if this was necessary in order to restrict the voltage drop in the circuit.
NoteWhere the harmonic content of the load current is such that the size of a four-core cable should be determined on the basis of the current in the neutral, as an alternative to using a four-core cable, it may be more economical to use a five-core cable with two of its cores used in parallel for the neutral and the remaining three cores used for the line conductors. The cable size may then be determined on the basis of the current in the neutral. However, practical considerations such as having to accommodate two conductors at neutral terminals or the availability of five-core cable may make this an undesirable solution.
h×I1l
100
In
C4AaxCaxCg
four-core armoured 90 ˚C thermosetting insulated cable. The switchgear to which the cable is to be connected is not suitable for conductors operating at more than 70 ˚C. Therefore the conductor size for the cable must be based
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Information required at a distribution board or consumer unitA distribution board or consumer unit should be provided with suffi cient information to indicate, amongst other things, the type and composition of each circuit.
Snag 7The absence of a legible diagram, chart or table may result in danger or nuisance, such as if someone inadvertently switches off the supply to an important service, for example a lift .
Snags & Solutions A practical guide to everyday electrical problems, now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671 ‘Snags & Solutions’, NICEIC’s problem solving book, is available in three parts, which cover many commonly-encountered electrical installation problems.
All parts have now been updated, where appropriate, to take account of the requirements of Amendment No 1 to BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations), which was published on 1 July and came into full eff ect on 1 January 2012.
Part 1 of Snags & Solutions addresses 53 problems relating to earthing and bonding, Part 2 covers 55 problems relating to wiring systems, and Part 3 covers 52 problems relating to inspection and testing.
The books are available from NICEIC Direct.
To give an indication of the value of these books, a snag and solution is being covered in each issue of Connections. This issue addresses a snag from Part 3 – Inspection and testing, relating to the information required at a distribution board or consumer unit.
SolutionThe information required at a distribution board or consumer unit should indicate the particulars of the installation. For example, simply labelling a protective device as ‘socket-outlets’ would indicate the purpose of the circuit but it would not be suffi cient to provide information required by Regulation 514.9.1.
A convenient way of providing such information for a simple installation such as a domestic installation is by means of a separate copy of the completed Schedule of Circuit Details for the Installation (Fig 1), which forms part of the Electrical Installation Certifi cate and Domestic Electrical Installation Certifi cate.
Providing a completed copy of a Schedule of Circuit Details may not alone be suffi cient for complex installations, such as in commercial or industrial premises. For complex installations, comprehensive information, drawings and diagrams may be required
to accompany a copy of the schedule. For example, Fig 2 provides further information to accompany the Schedule of Circuits Details for the installation shown in Fig 1. Furthermore, where symbols are used for identifi cation they are required to comply with IEC 60617. (Regulation 514.9.2 refers.)
Where a copy of a Schedule of Circuit Details is used to provide information for the installation, it should be legible and protected from damage or deterioration, such as by enclosure in a clear plastic folder. The completed schedule should be fi xed within or adjacent to the relevant distribution board or consumer unit.
Regulation 514.9.1 (part of)
A legible diagram, chart or table or equivalent form of information shall be provided indicating in particular:
• the type and composition of each circuit (points of utilisation served, number and size of conductors, type of wiring), and
• the method used for compliance with Regulation 410.3.2, and
• the information necessary for the identifi cation of each device performing the functions of protection, isolation and switching, and its location, and
• any circuit or equipment vulnerable to a typical test.
Fig 1 – Schedule of Circuit Details for the Installation
Fig 2 – Further information for the Schedule of Circuit Details
Product FocusMartindale ElectricTo ensure the safety of workers when cleaning, servicing or repairing electrical equipment, Martindale Electric off ers a choice of professional lock off kits, designed to ensure the safe isolation of an electrical circuit and prevent the supply being inadvertently turned on. The Lock Off Kit 1 is a comprehensive 14 piece kit compatible with most circuit breakers. Supplied with a padlock with its own unique key, the kit also features a safety hasp that enables multiple users to lock off with space for up to six additional padlocks. 01923 441717 www.martindale-electric.co.uk
Ideal IndustriesIDEAL launches its new SpliceLine™ in-line wire connector, an innovative alternative to traditional butt splices that does not require time-consuming crimping, soldering or heat shrinking to create secure end-to-end connections. Utilising patented push-in technology, the unique design provides a “Maintenance Free” connection that is 3X faster to install than traditional crimped butt splices. In addition, SpliceLine™ is precision-moulded from transparent polycarbonate that permits visual inspection of connections.
01952 444446 www. idealindustries.co.uk
PrysmianTo coincide with the launch of Prysmian’s Afumex range of low smoke zero halogen cables (LSOH) the company has introduced a new dedicated website, www.afumexcables.co.uk. The portal is the source of information for the entire range, including Afumex 6491B, Afumex 6242B, Afumex BS6742 and Afumex LSX. Afumex is specifi cally designed for use in today’s modern buildings in place of the standard PVC cabling that can be so hazardous in the event of fi re. Lethal conditions can arise in buildings as quickly as three minutes aft er fi re breaks out with most deaths due to being overcome by gas or smoke. It makes sense to use a cable that does not give off hazardous gas or smoke and contribute to fl ame spread.
www.afumexcables.co.uk
Marshall Tuff lexWant to know how much Voltis Home could reduce domestic electricity bills by? Then check out the savings calculator at new website www.savepowerathome.co.uk.Recently launched by British energy management specialist Marshall-Tuffl ex, the website gives full details of how and why voltage optimisation works plus the level of savings householders may expect to achieve from Voltis Home. The site also provides electrical contractors with technical information and lists electrical wholesalers stocking the units.
FlukeFluke has introduced fi ve new thermal imagers for a range of users, applications and prices. The Fluke Ti110 and Ti125 are designed for plant technicians, HVAC/R professionals and electricians who need to maintain and inspect electrical and mechanical equipment and components; the Fluke TiR110 and TiR125 are for building inspection and energy audit professionals evaluating and reporting insulation problems, air leakage, moisture issues, or construction defects; the Fluke Ti100 is for general applications, off ering the same ruggedness and ease of use for value-conscious professionals.
www.fl uke.co.uk
CP ElectronicsCP Electronics has supplied its Rapid Lighting Control System to the newly refurbished RNAS Culdrose site on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall. The system was specifi ed by contractors MITIE Engineering Services because of its ability to provide a fl exible system that allows the end user to easily confi gure the lighting controls to suit their own needs. The new PIR controlled system allows the new T5 fl uorescent luminaires to be switched on automatically when presence is detected or, when areas are vacated, to time out aft er a certain period that is pre-programmed.
EES DataEES Data produces a full suite of contract management soft ware. All are Windows 7 touch screen-enabled and built on a number of core modules: full professional contract estimating, small works costing and billing, supplier and quotation request, purchase ordering, job cost fi nancial monitoring, application for payment and stock control.
01924 200103 www.ees-data.co.uk
SeawardSeaward Solar has expanded its range of specialist test equipment for solar PV installation work with a new kit that provides the complete solution to MCS electrical testing needs. The new all inclusive MCS Test Kit enables all installers to meet the electrical test requirements of MCS and BS EN 62446 quickly, easily and safely. Traditionally, PV installers have brought together various test instruments to complete the MCS tests. The new Seaward test kit combines the multifunction PV100 electrical tester with the Solar Survey 100 irradiance meter, a clamp meter and supporting accessories.
0191 586 3511 www.seawardsolar.com
DanlersDanlers designs and manufactures a range of trailing edge grid dimmer modules suitable for dimming LED lamps, panels and fi ttings either directly or via a dimmable trailing edge transformer. These high-quality modules come with a fi ve-year warranty and are available in versions suitable for: MK Grid Plus, Crabtree grid or Eurodata plates. Holding the button down smoothly dims or brightens the light. A quick press switches the load on or off . A soft start feature helps prolong lamp life. All versions are also suitable for dimming mains halogen lamps (eg GU 10) without the need for derating. 01249 443377 www.danlers.co.uk
ScolmoreClick Scolmore’s latest product development combines a 5.5W LED Refl ector lamp from the Energetic low energy lamp range, with the new GU318 fi re rated downlighter from its award-winning FlameGuard system. This produces a lighting solution that is not just low energy and Part L compliant, but off ers the additional benefi t of built-in protection against fi re and noise pollution. Each FlameGuard fi tting is fi re rated to 30, 60 and 90 minutes, as well as being fully air fl ow and acoustically tested. Currently off ered in a choice of 3 fi nishes – white, chrome and satin chrome – and available with either cool or warm white lamp options, these new fi ttings have a recess depth of only 80mm making them an ideal solution for applications where space is limited.
01827 63454 www.scolmore.com
ElectrocorderThe new Electrocorder EC-7VAR for logging power factor, voltage and current (Three Phase or Single Phase) is available for £960 (ex VAT). As the product records both voltage and current, users can determine if low voltage is related to high current demands on site, or if the low voltage is being supplied to the site. Records TRMS voltage to 2% and records TRMS current to 5%, while Power Factor is accurate to 3%.
www.electrocorder.com
For great deals on products and services visit www.niceicdirect.com
HavellsHavells has introduced a range of Type B (three-phase) distribution boards for commercial and industrial applications. They are designed specifi cally for the UK market and off er design features to make installation safe and easy. These include options with pre-wired meters to enable contractors to satisfy the metering requirements of Building Regulations Part L2 easily and economically. While Havells is a new name to the low voltage switchgear market in the UK, it is no newcomer to the business, having been a long-established manufacturer of circuit protection devices for the OEM market.
020 7011 9700 www.havells.co.uk
TridonicTridonic’s new TALEXXengine STARK LLE compact linear LED modules are ideal for combining in-lines to create strip lighting as an energy-effi cient replacement for, or alternative to, conventional T5 or T8 fl uorescent lighting. Measuring just 35mm x 270mm, up to fi ve STARK LLE modules can be operated with just one perfectly matched TALEXXconverter. The inherent fl exibility of the system, combined with terminals for fast wiring, makes them very easy to install in existing fi ttings and they are suitable for all optics from louvre to diff user types.
Contractor’s EurovisionNICEIC Approved Contractor Bob McPherson is about to put down tools and head off on his motorbike.
With his friend Mick Griff in, he will set off from the UK at the end of May to travel to Baku, in Azerbaijan.
The two had the idea when Bob (pictured, left) lent Mick Ewan McGregor’s book Long Way Round. “We agreed to ride to whichever country won the Eurovision song contest,” he says.
They will travel through 28 countries in 28 days, and hope to raise more than £20,000 for UNICEF UK and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
For more information or to sponsor Bob, visit www.thereandbaku.com.
Thanks to our contributors: John Chittock of Colchester-based JC Electrical Services /// Gareth Webb of Severn Electrical in Stourport /// Nigel Bloomer of Cecil A Bloomer Plumbing and Electrical in County Armagh /// James
Dillon of JRD Electrical in Bristol /// Derek Horsburgh of Kelso-based John Rae Ltd /// Martin Webber of Georgeham Electrical in Ilfracombe /// Chris Rogers and Tony Adams of Osbourne Electrical based in Orpington /// Alan Hawes of Gainsborough Electrical Services in Rochford.
Don’t forget to send Current Aff airs any pictures that have made you smile
and let us know of any hidden talents or charity initiatives. Email editor@
niceicconnections.com
Electrical contractors often find themselves confronted
with evidence of just why it’s so important that installations
are carried out by responsible, registered contractors. This
issue’s batch of shocking scenes features (1-4): a dodgy
solar panel connection to a consumer unit; an example of
how not to join a mineral cable on an external, flat roof; an
earth rod that had almost entirely corroded away in just 10
years; and an example of over-zealous use of Polyfiller in
the absence of a galvinised box, causing the RCD to trip.
It continues with (5-8); a burnt-out distribution board
in a farm building caused by accumulation of dust; a
substandard installation found on a caravan park; cables
sharing ceiling rose securing holes; and the aftermath of a
consumer unit fire in an understairs cupboard.
1
2 3
4
5
Keep those shots coming in!
Ultimate award?There are a few awards ceremonies in the UK that hand out accolades to electrical contractors, but workers in Russia are seeking recognition from none other than their own president-elect.
Vladimir Putin has personally launched the contest to fi nd the country’s best electrician, alongside best stone mason, miner and welder, with the winning individuals receiving sizeable cash prizes.
The move is the latest in a number of measures harking back to the Soviet era, including rewarding mothers for having more than one child.
Now, we’re all in favour of encouraging a quality job, but whether being lauded by David Cameron would have quite the same impact over here is open to debate.
8
Nature callsElectrical industry journalist Frankie Snobel swapped writing about green technology and Part L for working as a rainforest
conservation volunteer in the Peruvian Amazon.
“One of my main goals was to take what I learned there to raise awareness back in the UK about the state of the rainforest and its future,” said Frankie.
“Deforestation and oil exploration are occurring at an alarming rate and if there is a time to act, it is now. This includes considering alternative energy sources and green technologies.”
Frankie’s work won the support of 21 corporate sponsors, including NICEIC and NQA.
Ansell Lighting’s breakthrough fire rated downlight range iCage, is a unique ‘cool cage’ design allowing lamps to operate within a cooler environment. This eliminates heat issues with traditional fittings. Guaranteed.Innovative design includes multi lamp option that allows for use of ALL suitable branded lamps including the latest LEDs and GU10 CFLs up to and including 14 watt.
