01-02.2011.pdf

www.wilsonpowersolutions.co.uk

Jan/Feb 2011 Volume 244 No 1/2

ELECTRICALREVIEW

Inside this issue:

� Signing up for safety� A primary injection primer� The sustainability agenda� Amorphous metal core to

transformer success

SUMMIT SKILLS ANNOUNCES FIRSTSKILLS ACADEMY HUB MEMBERSSummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council

for the building services engineering

sector, has announced the first hub

members who will lead clusters of

training providers within the National

Skills Academy for Environmental

Technologies. The Skills Academy will

play a major role in transforming the

ability for businesses in the building

services engineering sector to access

key training and skills in the design,

installation and maintenance of

environmental technologies.

SummitSkills is leading the

National Skills Academy for

Environmental Technologies on

behalf of the sector. Environmental

technologies are becoming a key

priority for employers in the sector so

that the UK can meet its low carbon

targets. As a result, the Skills Academy

will ensures learners have the correct

training, qualifications and ultimately

the correct skills.

Each hub member will be responsible

for leading a cluster of training

providers in their region to deliver

QCF accredited qualifications. The

successful hub members are:

• Bedford College (East of England)

• Blackburn College (North West)

• Bradford College (Yorkshire &

Humber)

• College of North West London

(London)

• Cornwall College (South West)

• Dudley College (West Midlands)

• Hartlepool College (North East)

• Leeds College of Building (Yorkshire

& Humber)

• Liverpool Community College

(North West)

• Stephenson College (East Midlands)

• Stourbridge College (West Midlands)

• The Genesis Project (Somerset

College) (South West)

• Trafford College (North West)

• Weston College (South West)

Keith Marshall OBE, chief executive

of SummitSkills said: “Environmental

technologies are becoming more and

more popular in order for the

government to meet its commitments

to the low carbon agenda. It is vitally

important for the sector that

employees are able to access the

training they need to install and

maintain renewable and

environmental technologies.

“Working in partnership with our

new hub and cluster members we

can ensure employers have access to

high quality skills training in

environmental technologies and we

can work as a trailblazer for green

skills.”

Technology to market Page 12 Test & measurement Page 18 Transformers Page 20 Factory safety Page 26

January/February 2011 Volume 244 No 1/2

SKF and Baker Instrument

Company have joined forces to

launch an online motor analysis

system to enable ongoing

automated evaluation of critical

electric motor assets.

Called the NetEP, this

networked system has been

designed to allow data analysis

to be accessed globally at any

time, via the internet, providing

vital data for industries where

critical electric motor assets are

operated over extended or

continuous periods and are only

shut down during planned

outages, such as in the power

generation and utilities sectors.

The NetEP system has been

developed to identify

weakening or faulty rotating

equipment that can lead to

motor failure, costly and

unexpected downtime, and

production losses. This online

analysis system warns users of

critical situations with an easy to

read interface, maintaining all

database functionality, as well as

providing enhanced data trend

analysis..

For the latest news, products and event information visit www.electricalreview.co.uk

ELECTRICALREVIEW

BASEEFA LEADER HONOURED WITH MBERon Sinclair, managing director of

Baseefa, was awarded the MBE in

the New Year’s Honours List for

his services to certification and

standardisation.

Sinclair spearheaded the private

sector rebirth of the Health and

Safety Executive’s Electrical

Equipment Certification Service

(EECS) when it closed in 2001. His

many international responsibilities

include chairmanship of ExTAG,

the Test and Assessment Group of

the IECEx International

Certification Scheme, and

chairman of the committee

responsible for the UK input to

both European and international

standards for electrical equipment

for use in potentially explosive

atmospheres.

As part of its continuing commitment to training

and education, ADI Global Distribution UK is

hosting a series of four free Continuous

Professional Development (CPD) Fire Security

seminars and tradeshows in March 2011, focusing

on the fire industry legislation.

Each event will feature seven educational CPD

seminars and a trade show. The trade show

enables attendees to have face-to-face discussions

with leading manufacturers and trade

organisations. Seminars have been designed to

help decision makers in fire security to understand

the various laws and regulations relating to the

implementation of fire detection and alarm

systems. They also enable existing CPD members

to add to their required 35 hours of training.

The seminars are taking place in conjunction

with the CPD Service covering subjects such as

false alarm reduction and emergency lighting.

They are sponsored by key emergency lighting

and fire product suppliers/manufacturers including

Apollo, Morley IAS, SPEL, Sterling Safety, Fike,

Xtralis and C-TEC. The events are also supported

by the British Fire Consortium, BAFE, the SSAIB and

the NSI.

The dates and venues are as follows:

� Glasgow – 2 March 2011

� Newcastle – 3 March 2011

� Leeds – 8 March 2011

� Warrington - 9 March 2011

� Birmingham - 10 March 2011

� Huntingdon- 22 March 2011

� Central London – 23 March 2011

� M25 London, Farnborough – 24 March 2011

� Southampton – 29 March 2011

� Newport Wales- 30 March 2011

To book your free place and for more

information on the seminars, please go to the ADI

website at http://adi-

global.co.uk/cpd_roadshows.asp.

ADI TO HOST FREE SECURITYSEMINARS AND TRADE SHOWS

CONTENTS

04 || NEWS

10 || GOSSAGE

12 || TECHNOLOGY TO MARKET

18 || TEST & MEASUREMENT

20 || TRANSFORMERS

22 || WILSON POWER

SOLUTIONS ADVERTORIAL

26 || FACTORY SAFETY

28 || TRAINING

32 || PRODUCT WATCH

43 || BLOWN FUSE

Leeds based Wilson

Power Solutions

(WPS) is proud to

celebrate the success

of its e2 transformer

range, said to be the

UK’s first and only

super low loss

amorphous

distribution transformer that substantially

reduces operating costs and CO2 emissions.

� Laidler Associates, a UK machinery safety

and compliance consultant, will once again

be sponsoring the Plant & Machinery Safety

Zone at Health and Safety ’11 – South which

takes place at Sandown Park Racecourse,

Esher, Surrey on 1 and 2 March 2011.

Laidler Associates, which specialises in

machinery safety legislation and risk

assessments, will deliver a presentation at

Health and Safety ’11 – South on Practical

machinery safety including guarding issues.

Using its virtual reality system to re-create a

typical working environment Laidler is able

to bring to life the problems that are present

and demonstrate how to provide safe

solutions in this area.

IN BRIEF

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Dale keeps the water flowing

The company is now providing vital back-up

power to several major UK water utility

companies. The latest new customer, a

FTSE-listed company, which supplies fresh

and waste water and sewage services to

millions of households and businesses, has

ordered four Secure Power 1600 Generator

units, with an option for more.

They will give portable back-up power to

the water company’s pumping stations,

plants and even offices, if required.

Water-tight recovery planSevere flooding in recent years has, ironically,

included water pumping stations among its

victims and the company was keen to ensure

that its own disaster recovery plans were water-

tight. With water and sewage services to

millions of customers to protect, the client was

seeking a powerful, containerised mobile

generator which could go to its plants and be

operational in minutes should disaster strike.

An added requirement of the customer

specification was that the heavy cabling

needed could also be transported on the same

vehicle and be easily handled on site. With the

Secure Power 1600 capable of providing the

high power output needed in a compact

footprint 20ft container, Dale’s solution

exceeded the customer’s expectations and

secured the contract.

The power unit sits perfectly on a transporter

with a unit containing motorised load cable,

providing a manageable vehicle, easily moved

to where it is needed. And with the powered

cabling unit on board, the generator can be put

into action by just a driver and an engineer,

overcoming manpower and health and safety

issues.

The Dale solution ensures continuity of water

supply for the company’s customers and can

also be used as back-up during maintenance

of existing on site generators.

Portable power, whenever it’sneeded

Shaun Flinton, Generator Business Director,

said: “The water company had previously

relied upon hired generator back-up but

discovered that their operational requirements

were not easily met through that route.”

“Against a background of severe flooding

causing disruption to water supplies, the

company required a robust back-up solution as

part of its commitment to provide continuous

services for its customers.”

“There was a requirement for high power

units, easily transportable to their plants, to

provide emergency back-up power to existing

generator equipment or to the mains supply.

“The Secure 1600 met their needs perfectly

and this was just the sort of application Dale

was looking at when establishing the innovative

Secure Power Series.

Secure Power sets newstandards

The Dale Secure Power 1600 supplied to the

water company is part of the Secure Power

range that has raised the bar in containerised

generator sets.

Outstanding power output in compact, off-

the-shelf containerised units makes the range

ideal for limitless applications worldwide – from

utilities, to finance, events and the hire market,

which was a particular target.

The Dale Secure Power Series range

features three models, each with their own

unique benefits.

The Secure E for example, is fully

configurable in a 20ft or 40ft HC generator

container and is a cost-effective, modular

design for maximum flexibility and a wide range

of applications across the world.

The Secure C majors on high power in a mini

footprint, offering 1600kVA in a 20ft HC

generator container – high output but low noise

(85dBA at 1m).

The Secure + has low noise applications in

mind. Housed in fully bunded and sound

attenuated 40ft containers, the Secure + is

super quiet at 75dBA at 1m with a large

capacity, 24-hour fuel tank.

SPECIFICATION

Generator

� 1500kVA 50HZ 400V

� 1200KW @ 40 deg C

Package

� 20 ft generator container

� 85 dBA @ 1 metre

� 8 hour fuel tank with fill point or external

supply

� Synchronising generator to generator and

generator to mains

� Power lock plug in load cable connections

Cable Container

� 4 off motorised cable reels with remote

control

� 25m heavy duty training cable suitable for

full generator load with power lock quick

connectors

Tel: +44 (0)1723 583511 www.dalepowersolutions.com

Dale Power Solutions is playing a crucial role inensuring millions of people have guaranteed waterand sewage services.

Following the launch of its ‘Wall of Shame’ campaign,

NICIEC has welcomed the action taken by Trading

Standards against a building firm and its director who

falsely claimed to be a member of the electrical

accreditation body.

UKSmart Build.com and its director Ertan Gokay,

from Enfield, were fined £8,630 and ordered to pay

£1,100 in costs following a prosecution by Brent and

Harrow Trading Standards.

The firm fraudulently said it was NICEIC registered

and used the logo on their company website,

stationary and billboards. Only approved electrical

contractors are allowed to use the logo after having

their work verified and checked by NICEIC.

NICEIC originally referred UKSmartBuild to Trading

standards in early 2010 and the company was warned

and ordered to take down any material using the logo.

Further action was then taken when the firm failed to

heed the warning and carried on misusing the logo.

“NICEIC is synonymous with quality and a job well

done,” said NICEIC’s chief operating officer, Emma

McCarthy. “We cannot have rogue traders going

around posing as NICEIC registered when, in fact, the

quality of their work has never been approved by our

organisation. Specifiers need assurances that when

they appoint a registered contractor that is exactly

what they are getting.”

The NICEIC recently launched a campaign to name

and shame any rogue traders it finds incorrectly using

its logo on its website.

TRADING STANDARDS ACTIONFOLLOWING MISUSE OF LOGO

06 Electrical Review January/February 2011

NEWS

� NICEIC has announced details of

its first conference and exhibition.

NICEIC Live will be a hub of business

advice and technical information for

electrical contractors, as well as

offering attendees discounted rates

on the latest products and services.

The day’s packed programme of

seminars will be delivered by a

combination of respected electrical

industry figures and high profile

business people. Speakers include

NICEIC’s own Tony Cable, as well as

former minister for trade and deputy

chairman of Dyson, Sir Richard

Needham. Topics discussed will

include the significant opportunities

in the microgeneration industry,

counterfeit goods and RCDs, home

automation and environmental

systems management, as well as

advice on marketing a business and

recovering from the recession.

� Braving some of the worst winter

weather in Scotland for more than

40 years, EEIBA branch members

and supporters battled through the

snow and ice to attend events to

raise £45,000 for the charity. Two

lunches were held, one at the Hilton

Hotel in Glasgow which raised

£24,000 and the other at the ECE in

Edinburgh where a further £21,000

was raised.

IN BRIEF

INSTALLED BASE OF PLCS TOPS 10 MILLIONThe installed base of Mitsubishi Electric’s compact PLC line, the FX, hastopped ten million units, said to make the FX Family models some ofthe most widely used PLCs in the world. Mitsubishi Electric launched thefirst compact PLC on the European market over 30 years ago, bringingPLC control and functionality into smaller, lower cost applications thatwould previously had to rely solely on discrete relay-based logic.

EDITORElinore Mackay 020 8319 [email protected]

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGERNeil Coshan 020 7933 [email protected]

PRODUCTION MANAGERTania King 020 7933 [email protected]

CLASSIFIED SALES EXECUTIVEJohn Steward 020 7933 [email protected]

PAID SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIESTel: +44 (0) 1635 [email protected]

ELECTRICAL REVIEW SUBSCRIPTIONSSt John Patrick PublishersPO Box 6009, ThatchamBerkshire, RG19 4QB, UK

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: UK £160.00 per year, Overseas £195.00 (EU 300.00 US$360).

Electrical Review is a controlled circulation monthly

magazine available free to selected personnel at the

publisher’s discretion. If you wish to apply for regular free

copies then please write to:

Electrical Review Subscriptions

P O Box 6009, Thatcham,

Berkshire, RG19 4TT

Tel: +44 (0) 1635 869868

Fax: 01635 868594

Email: [email protected]

Electrical Review is published by

Laurence Pountney HillLondon EC4R 0BL020 7933 8999

PUBLISHING DIRECTORChris Cooke

PRINTING BY Pensord Press Ltd

Any article in this journal represents the opinions ofthe author. This does not necessarily reflect the viewsof Electrical Review or its publisher–St John Patrick Publishers

ISSN 0013-4384

All editorial contents © Saint John Patrick

Publishers Ltd 2011. Jan-Dec 2009 6,484

NEWS

Newey & Eyre’s Specialist Products Division has estab-

lished a new, dedicated team of energy experts called

Energy Saving 24/7. The eight energy specialists will op-

erate across the UK and working with nationally based

clients to develop and provide schemes specifically

aimed at reducing energy wastage and carbon emis-

sions associated with lighting.

Heading up the initiative is Steve Kearney, business

manager for the Specialist Products Division, who said:

“As we move into 2011, saving energy and reducing

carbon emissions are becoming a key priority for en-

ergy managers and specifiers across the private and

public sector. Our team will be available to give specifi-

cation advice and support and will be working with our

manufacturing partners to provide the very latest light-

ing technologies, including LED, induction and T5. For

retrofit applications, we’re also offering new, ground

breaking power optimisation equipment that can make

a massive difference to a building’s energy usage and

in turn, provide financial savings for the customer.”

NEWYEY & EYRE LAUNCHES ENERGYSAVING 24/7 TEAM OF EXPERTS

PEOPLECarlo Gavazzi UK is extending its managementteam to help it meet the demands of the fast-growing renewable energy and buildingmanagement markets. Amir Sami is joining thecompany as business development managerresponsible for energy and controls. Sami willtake responsibility for sales management andstrategy for Carlo Gavazzi�s energy and controlsproduct ranges and will work closely with thededicated UK-wide distribution network tosupport customers on control, renewable energyand building management solutions.

Lewden:Palazzoli has announced theappointment of Darren Clarke to the role of UKsales director. Clarke has been with the companyfor over three years representing Lewden in theSouthwest Region. Clarke has a wealth ofexperience in electrical wholesaling, havingspent many years in a management role. �This

position confirms the intention of the companyto strengthen the sales and marketingorganisation, whilst placing more emphasis ondeveloping its distribution channel and thefurther development of specification for thetotal Lewden:Palazzoli offer�, commented AlanGreen, managing director.

Building services company, SES, hasannounced the appointment of Grant Taylor asthe divisional commercial director for its newScottish Division. Taylor, who joined SES on 5January 2011, will report directly to divisionaldirector for Scotland Colin Walker, and will bebased in the company�s newly opened Glasgowoffice.

Amir sami Darren Clarke Grant Taylor

OPINION

A BOLT OUT OF THE BLUEGOSSIP!

GOSSAGE!MARCHING HAND IN HAND

KEEPING THE HOUSE WELL INFORMED


What a coup for Scottish & Southern Electric. Normally, when a list of new members of the House of Lords is released, any new peer

nominated with any connection to the electricity industry has invariably been male and the wrong side of 65. But the latest list

contains two shining exceptions. Both are female and both are under 45. And both are strongly associated with Scottish & Southern.

The first is Eluned Morgan, a former Welsh MEP specialising in energy issues but now employed by S&S’s subsidiary, SWALEC. The

other is Bryony Worthington, for many years a personal aide to company CEO Ian Marchant promoting the company’s ecological

image. Latterly she has been running the enigmatically named Sandbag, an outfit that appears to specialise solely in critiquing the

arcane workings of the European emissions trading scheme – the funding for which altruistic activity has long been curiously arcane.

Both these Ladies will now be in an ideal position to hearken to the silvery words of the SSE chairman since 2005, the 66 year old

Robert Smith. Or as his colleagues in the Palace of Westminster know him, Lord Smith of Kelvin. Between the three of them, they

should keep the red benches of the Upper House well informed concerning the interests of Scottish & Southern. The only

complication is that m’Lord Smith has long graced the independent cross benches. Whereas both the new baronesses will be firmly

ensconced on the opposition, Labour, benches.

There has been much criticism by British businesses of energysecretary Chris Huhne for the emasculation of the Carbon ReductionCommitment. Four years in its creation, the scheme had beenelegantly designed to be revenue neutral to the 3,000 firms involved.Each year companies were due to pay into a scheme, creating aperformance league table demonstrating their energy efficiencyimprovements, with those improving most getting back their moneyplus a bonus for saving energy. Now the companies will still be payinginto the scheme, a league table will still be created – but no moneywill be returned. Instead all the money raised, at £12 for each tonneof carbon created, will go into the Treasury coffers. Worthapproaching £1bn a year.

The reason the CBI and its friends were so livid about this new‘stealth tax’ was in large part because nobody at the Department ofEnergy had even breathed a word about the possibility this brandnew scheme would be emasculated in the Comprehensive SpendingReview, just as it finally got started. Other possible cuts to energyprogrammes had long been in the air – the decimation of the lowincome programme, Warm Front, or alterations to climate changeagreements with industrial sectors. But this came as a bolt out of theblue. As indeed it did for much of the Department of Energy. Officialsthought they had reached a settlement with the Treasury severalweeks beforehand. But it seems they reckoned without the dyspepticnature of their Secretary of State. And the Treasury’s capacity forrevenge for slights.

Early on in the negotiations, Huhne had got very, very angry withTreasury minister Justine Greening, so angry he lost his temper andstarted shouting at her. He later apologised. But the slight wasrecorded. At the very last minute, Treasury ministers told Huhne theyneeded a further £1bn off his budget.

The suggestion was this might be the £1bn subsidy proposed forSpanish company Iberderola to build a carbon capture and storageplant at Longannet in Fife. Was this really necessary, as the EuropeanCommission were already funding six such R&D projects aroundEurope, with the results due to be placed in the public domain? WhenHuhne sought to defend his Spanish friends, the Treasury’s eyes thenlit upon the near £1bn that was to be recycled between the 3,000participants in the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme. “We’llhave all that money instead”, they said. And so they have.

In the clamour to build new electricity power stations (“thelights will not go out under my watch”, energy secretary CHuhne) there has been a presumption GDP growth andelectricity consumption increases still march hand inhand. To be fair, the more sophisticated cheer-leaders forconstruction do acknowledge there may be somedifferential. Witness for instance Andy Duff, chairman ofaccident prone RWE npower, opining at last year’s annualOxford Energy Futures conference that demand forelectricity will grow at 1% less than GDP growth, whichitself historically has been at 2.5% a year. Thus we must planfor a 1.5% increase in power each year.

But has the recent recession put paid to this relationship?Consider. Total electricity supply in 2009 was down at 375TWh(terawatt hours) during 2009. Whereas in 2005 it was uparound 410TWh. That is a decline of around 8.3% over a fouryear period. A fall of 2.1% each year.

Conversely over that four year period GDP did not fall at all.If the 2005 GDP figure is expressed as an index of 100, by2009 it had risen up to 100.9. This equates to an annual rise of0.2% in GDP. So, over those past four years, electricity/GDPratio has been declining at a rate of 2.3% per year. This is avery far cry from that growth presumption of 1.25% annualpredicted by Andy Duff et al.

Interestingly the German government seems to havespotted this trend. Germany too is planning for an 80%decarbonisation of its economy by 2050, just as the UK is. Thedifference is that our official forecasts still say electricityconsumption will double, even possibly treble, across 40 years.Whereas the German government is projecting a compound25% reduction in electricity demand by 2050. Given that RWEis a German company, I wonder whether Andy Duff haschecked all this with his bosses? And, if not, why not?

Circutor S.A. of Barcelona, Spain is one of the leading European companies

focused on the design, manufacture and marketing of electrical energy

efficiency equipment. The company offers products and solutions ranging

from measuring and electrical control, protection and control, quality and

metering to power factor correction and harmonic filtering.

Metartec was keen to team up with Circutor due to both companies

having a very similar ethos, encouraging the development of innovation

and technology in order to offer integral solutions for the electrical market.

Another fundamental reason for this partnership was due to Circutor’s

commitment to developing complete solutions for electrical energy

efficiency matters.

This partnership has paved the way for the creation of an exciting new

line of business within Metartec. Subsequently, extending the company’s

field of operation to offer a full range of high quality equipment specially

designed and developed for electrical energy efficiency.

Electrical energy efficiency is the reduction of contracted power and

electrical energy required from the system, without affecting normal

activities being carried out. It is important for the following reasons:

� It helps to keep the system and environment sustainable by reducing CO2

emissions, by reducing energy generation requirements.

� It improves the technical management of installations by increasing their

performance (increased available capacity) and avoiding process downtime

and breakdowns (controlling leakage and eliminating disturbances).

As a result of these factors, electrical energy efficiency reduces the

financial costs of the operation for installations and processes. With this in

mind, Metartec felt it was essential to offer their customers complete

solutions which focus on improving their electrical energy efficiency.

To embrace this new line of business Metartec has launched a new sub-

brand, Metartec e3 by Circutor.

Metartec e3 offers bespoke electrical energy efficiency solutions to suit

any application at very competitive prices. Every product in the Metartec e3

range has its quality proven by Circutor’s rigorous quality testing. The brand

also provides a wealth of experience within the electrical energy efficiency

sector with a support team of experts being available to provide 24/7

assistance. Metartec e3 also provides rapid delivery of products and

solutions.

Metartec’s e3 equipment and systems provide an overall integrated

solution, supplying an analysis of the results by user friendly SCADA

software called Power Studio. Metartec e3 has an extensive product

portfolio which includes power factor correction and harmonic filtering

equipment and high speed statically switched capacitor banks.

GB: 0845 64 39 772

NI: 0845 50 40 444


www.metartec.com

In November 2010

Metartec signed a two

year distribution

agreement with Circutor

S.A. of Barcelona, Spain,

to become the UK

distributor of Circutor’s

Electrical Energy

Efficiency products.

ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION

METARTEC and CIRCUTOR

the perfect partnership


ROLLS ROYCE'S 86MW load bank is the largest

ever produced by Cressall and is used in one of

the power systems giant's development facilities

for testing gas turbines. It was installed in 2000

at Rolls-Royce Canada's Test Cell no. 7, beside

the Lachine Canal in Atwater; a suburb of

Montreal. At 60-metres long the load bank is

around five and half times the length of a

double decker bus and is cooled entirely by

convection. Despite its gargantuan proportions it

is almost completely silent in use; an important

consideration in a suburban location that is the

sixth largest conurbation in Canada and the

United States.

The load banks are used for the development

and final production tests of Rolls-Royces' Trent

Industrial gas turbine generator packages. They

are suitable for 13.8kV/60 Hz and 11kV/50 Hz

testing, allowing turbines for markets outside

North America to be developed and tested

alongside products for use in the States. Fine

control of the exact load is achieved by varying

the output voltage. The load banks are

necessary because, although it is beneficial to

return power generated during a test back to

the grid, this isn't possible with 50Hz generator

packages because the local grid in Montreal

operates at 60Hz.

Before installing Cressall's load bank Rolls

Royce used fan-cooled models on a number of

test sites in the area. As a result, they

experienced severe problems with insulator

breakages in the winter, caused by rainwater

freezing inside the insulators leading to

cracking. However, as well as protecting the

nearby residential area from intrusive noise, the

use of convection cooling instead of fans means

that there are no motors to freeze up during the

harsh Canadian winter. A bonus is there are

none of the running costs associated with fans

and no need to mitigate for the possibility of fan

failure.

Despite this, the Montreal site always has

problems with the accumulation of snow and ice

outside the load bank structure during the

winter months. But clearing the load bank for

use involves nothing more complex than the

application of a reduced voltage and power,

typically 50-100kW per module, to the load itself

for a short period to melt the snow and ice. This

means that no separate heaters are needed and

there are no doors to be opened or closed,

simplifying health and safety procedures.

The modular load bank has 21 separate

enclosures each rated 4.11MW at 13.8kV

continuous power dissipation. The 21 modules

are arranged in groups of three, providing seven

independently switchable sections and a total

installed capacity of 86MW. The load banks are

installed on a purpose-built steel platform, five

metres high, to ensure adequate flow of cooling

air up to and through the gratings on the

platform and into the base of the load banks.

There is provision on the platform for the future

installation of three more modules to raise the

total capacity to 98MW.

Each module is a double-decker construction

5m long by 3m deep and 8m high, weighing 8.5

tonnes. The platform layout is designed to

ensure equal cooling for upper and lower

modules while making the whole structure as

compact as possible.

There are twelve stacks of low inductance

expanded mesh resistors in each module, made

from a high-grade (25% nickel, 20% chrome)

stainless steel, optimised for high-temperature

resistor use. These are graded to minimise

temperature variations throughout the stacks

and the use of non-magnetic stainless steel

helps to ensure silent operation.

The load banks are contained within

enclosures that use a mixture of hot-dip

galvanized steel frames with stainless steel

panels and stainless steel mesh covers. The

switchgear and control systems are installed

in separate rooms under and alongside the

load bank.

SPECIFYING A HIGHVOLTAGE LOAD BANK IS APROCESS THAT REQUIRESTHE CONSIDERATION OFMANY VARIABLES AT THEBEST OF TIMES. WHEN THATLOAD BANK IS THEBIGGEST PRODUCED INTHE UK IN THE LASTDECADE AND HAS TOPERFORM SILENTLY IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES, THETASK IS AN EVEN MORECOMPLEX ONE. PETERDUNCAN, MANAGINGDIRECTOR OF LEICESTERBASED CRESSALLRESISTORS EXPLAINS HOWHIS COMPANY TACKLEDTHE TASK AT A ROLLSROYCE INSTALLATION INMONTREAL, CANADA'SSECOND LARGEST CITY

TECHNOLOGY TO MARKET

The canal and weir

Cool running for SNOWBOUND load banks

TECHNOLOGY TO MARKET

To compound the challenges presented by size

and environment, the load bank had to be

delivered to site in flat pack form. Assembly and

installation was handled by a local contractor

under the supervision of Cressall's engineers.

When this process was completed, Canada's

second largest city was left with one of the

world's largest load banks, so silent in running

that they will never know it's there.


TEST & MEASUREMENT


PRIMARY current injection testing is most usually

associated with high current and high voltage power

distribution systems of the type found in an electricity

substation, or in a large industrial installation. The

principle it is actually very straightforward: a test

current is injected into the primary side of a

system – which is often but not always some

form of protection scheme – to determine how

the system behaves at particular levels of

current.

The system

under test

might, for

example,

comprise a circuit

breaker with an over-

current trip relay that

operates via a current

transformer (CT). By injecting

a predetermined current into

the circuit breaker, it is

possible to determine

whether the relay will trip

at this current and, if so,

how long the current needs

to flow before the trip is

initiated.

Something similar, of course,

could be achieved by injecting a

test current directly into the trip

relay – that is, on the secondary

side of the CT. This is secondary current

injection testing and it is widely used, not

least because much lower currents are needed

than are typically required for primary injection testing.

Secondary injection testing is undoubtedly valuable,

but it does not check all of the components in the

system. In the scenario discussed, it would not, for

example, reveal a defective CT. Neither does it truly

mimic the operating conditions – the heating effect of

the primary current will not be present and, in some

types of test, this can significantly affect the results

obtained.

For these reasons, there are many situations where

primary injection testing is considered useful if not

essential. Because it tends to be somewhat disruptive –

the plant under test must be taken out of service and

de-energised and then arrangements must be made for

the high current connections needed for the test –

primary injection is most usually performed as part of

the commissioning procedure for new plant or after

major modifications have been carried out. In some

instances, however, it can also be an invaluable aid to

faultfinding.

Test sets used for primary injection are invariably built

specifically for this purpose. Their primary function

is to supply a lot of current – tests typically involve

injecting currents from 100 A or so up to 20,000 A.

Equipment capable of delivering these sorts of

currents is never going to be physically small or

lightweight, but remarkable strides have been

made over recent years in making primary

injection test sets more manageable.

One way this has been achieved is by

using modular current sources, so that for

lower test currents only one or two

sources are needed, but for higher test

currents additional current sources

can be added. Test sets that adopt this

approach are often assembled on wheeled

trolleys that can accommodate the control unit

plus up to three or four current source modules.

This arrangement makes the test sets much

easier to handle.

Test equipment manufacturers have also noted that

only a few applications of primary injection testing

involve the highest currents – many requirements can be

satisfied with test sets rated at no more than 5000 A,

which paves the way for smaller mid-range units. In

addition, the highest currents are usually only required

for a comparatively short time, to test, for example an

instantaneous overcurrent relay, so the test sets do not

need to be continuously rated for their maximum current

output. Once again, this allows size and weight to be

reduced.

Weight and size are not, however, the only areas

WHAT IS PRIMARY CURRENT INJECTION TESTING, AND WHAT ARE

ITS APPLICATIONS? WHAT KIND OF TEST EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED

FOR PRIMARY INJECTION TESTING, AND WHAT FEATURES SHOULD

USERS EXPECT TO FIND IN THE LATEST TEST SETS? THE ANSWERS TO

THESE QUESTIONS AND MANY MORE ARE SUPPLIED BY DAMON

MOUNT OF MEGGER

A primary injection PRIMER

ODEN AT

Primary Current

Injection Test

System

MS-2A circuit breaker and

overload relay test set

www.electricalreview.co.uk 19

where progress has been made. Another useful

development is the introduction of test sets where the

control unit can be connected to the current generator by

a comparatively long control cable. This allows the current

generator to be placed very close to the equipment under

test, thereby minimising the length of the high current test

leads needed, which makes testing easier and more

practical.

To ensure versatility, primary injection test sets need to

be able to offer options to cope with a wide range of

burdens since, if they do not, there is the possibility that

they will not be able to deliver the required test current

into the impedance presented by the equipment under

test plus the test cables. In the best test sets, this issue is

addressed by allowing the output voltage of the current

generators to be raised at the expense of output current,

so that the total power the test set is required to deliver is

not increased unduly. This option is particularly valuable

when testing CTs, circuit breakers and busbar joints.

Another option of great value is an integral timer that

can be set to inject the test current for an accurately

controlled time, preset by the user. This makes it easy to

perform complete circuit breaker tripping time tests that

encompass both the relay and the CTs, by injecting the

actual fault currents. Auxiliary voltage and current

measuring inputs facilitate the testing of CTs and good test

sets can provide a wide range of data, including

impedance, resistance, virtual power, active power, reactive

power, and power factor, together, of course, with CT ratio

and polarity.

A fast acting hold feature for the measuring functions,

which is provided in conjunction with a “stop” input

further enhances usefulness, as it allows readings to be

frozen by applying a signal to the stop input. This makes it

possible, for example, to record data relating to the exact

moment that a protection relay operates during a test.

Some instruments, when used for circuit breaker testing,

can even be configured to automatically freeze the

measurements at the instant the breaker trips without the

need to use the stop input.

A feature that is just starting to become available on the

latest primary injection test sets is zero-crossover

synchronisation. This ensures that the test current is turned

on only at a zero crossing point, which eliminates DC

offset effects and also ensures the best possible

repeatability for test results.

One issue that has been perennially troublesome in

carrying out primary injection tests has been heating of

the equipment under test while setting up and adjusting

the test current. This effect has even been known to trip a

breaker under test during set up before the test proper has

commenced. Work-arounds are available – test engineers

can perform the set up very quickly to minimise heating,

or

they can prevent

tripping at least by isolating the trip circuits. Neither of

these options is particularly convenient, however.

Fortunately, there is a better solution, in that test sets

are now available with a so-called I/30 function. This, as its

name suggests, reduces the programmed current output

of the test set by a factor of 30. Since this means that the

heating effect is reduced by a factor of 900, test engineers

using this function can take as much care and time as they

need in setting up the test with absolutely no risk of

significant heating. And, when they are ready to start

testing, the output current can be returned to normal at

the push of a button.

Some of the principal applications of primary injection

testing, including the testing of circuit breakers and CTs,

have already been mentioned in this article. Some test sets

can, however, also be programmed for more complex

functions, such as testing automatic reclosers and

sectionalizers.

Finally, it is worth bearing in mind that the high-capacity

current source at the heart of every primary injection test

set is also useful in its own right as convenient way of

providing current to carry out heat runs on busbars and

other types of switchgear assembly, and for testing ground

grid installations where the test set is used to inject

current between a reference ground and the ground to be

tested. Measuring the voltage drop and the percentage of

current flowing through the ground grid then enables an

accurate assessment to be made of the ground grid’s

performance.

Primary current injection tests are among the most

valuable tests that can be carried out on power systems as

they take into account the performance of every

component and are, therefore, the most reliable way of

assessing the performance of the system under real world

operating conditions. In the past, however, primary

injection testing has been fraught with inconvenience, not

least because of the size and weight of the equipment

involved, and because of its limited capabilities.

Fortunately, things have changed and, as we have seen,

the latest primary injection test equipment is much more

user friendly – and far less back breaking! For all those

involved in the commissioning and maintenance of power

distribution systems this could, therefore, be a very good

time to take a closer look at how primary injection test

sets have changed in recent years, and to look again at the

benefits that this form of testing undoubtedly offers.

Primary current

injection tests are

among the most

valuable tests that

can be carried out on

power systems


TRANSFORMERS

TRANSFORMERS in operation incur two types of losses:

no-load loss that occurs in the transformer cores due to

hysteresis and eddy current losses - which is always

present and is constant during normal operation, and

load loss that occurs in the transformer’s electrical circuit,

including windings and components, due to resistive loss

and is a function of loading conditions. Although

distribution transformers are very efficient, there is still a

large total loss of energy due to the vast installed bases

of distribution transformers. Globally, these losses are

estimated to account for around 2-3% of all electric

energy production – some 25 GW. According to a 2008

study by SEEDT (Strategies for development and diffusion

of Energy- Efficient Distribution Transformers) in the EU

alone, there are some 4.5 million distribution

transformers, causing 38 TWh of losses each year – more

than the entire amount of electricity consumed by

Denmark – and 30 million tons of CO2.

Load profile – a key considerationThe growing recognition that transformer losses

constitute a significant economic cost is driving

programmes to implement energy efficiency standards

for distribution transformers. This includes the US, with its

DOE (Department of Energy) minimum energy efficiency

requirements for liquid-filled and dry-type distribution

transformers. The required efficiency is typically quoted

for a reference load value – in the case of the DOE this is

at 50% of the transformers rating. However the overall

efficiency of a transformer in service depends very much

on the load profile. Depending on the loading, the

effective efficiency can vary significantly from the

reference value. This variation requires the selection of

transformers to consider the load profile

TCODistribution transformers are typically custom designed

to meet customer specifications and requirements which

are normally in compliance with the technical

requirements of national or international standards. In

addition, the design reflects an optimisation between the

cost of materials and labour used in the production of

the transformer and the cost of losses.

Some customers look for the lowest possible purchase

price, ignoring the cost of losses over the transformer

lifetime. These customers are usually not responsible for

the ownership or operational costs of the transformers.

Customers with operational responsibility seek to reduce

losses and specify loss capitalisation, or loss evaluation,

values. These capitalised losses reflect the cost of energy

consumed by the transformer during an expected

economical lifetime. Therefore, when comparing

transformer designs it is best to consider the TCO (Total

Cost of Ownership), which is the summation of the

purchase price and the loss capitalisation. Typically, the

design with the lowest TCO results in the most desirable

unit for each individual customer based on its specific

loss capitalisation factors.

An important option for customers seeking to optimise

their TCO by specifying ultra high efficiency distribution

transformers is amorphous metal. The use of AMDT

(amorphous metal distribution transformers) core

technology, combined with optimised coil designs, can

provide significant reduction in no-load losses, resulting

in higher energy efficiency. Amorphous core technology

is at the heart of ABB’s new generation EcoDry ultra high

efficiency dry-type transformers.

Amorphous metal transformer coresHistorically, there was an initial interest in amorphous

core transformers which stemmed from the first oil shock

in the mid-1970s when improved energy efficiency in

power distribution systems was increasingly desirable.

This interest fell away in the mid-1990s when energy

costs decreased. Furthermore, the initial costs of an

amorphous core transformer are higher than of a

crystalline silicon steel core transformer: first, the

amorphous material itself is more expensive than

crystalline silicon steel and second, the saturation

magnetic flux density of amorphous steel is lower than

that of silicon steel. This means larger sizes of amorphous

core transformers are required, which results in a higher

cost per unit. However, the higher initial costs can be

compensated by lower operating costs over the lifetime

of the transformers due to their increased energy

efficiency.

Nowadays, amorphous metal core transformers have

become commercially available and are cost-competitive

CEYHUN SAHIN OF ABB EXPLAINS HOW A NEW RANGE OF DRY-TYPE DISTRIBUTION

TRANSFORMERS CAN PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN POWER

DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

Amorphous metal core to success of TRANSFORMERS

Andrew Smith

Caption

Distribution

transformers

are typically

custom

designed to

meet customer

specifications

An EcoDry transformer

ER AD PAGE:Layout 1 9/2/11 11:04 Page 2


TRANSFORMERS

with conventional core transformers. There has also been

significant technical progress in increasing the saturation

magnetic flux density of iron-based amorphous alloys,

resulting in smaller transformers and reduced material

costs.

The amorphous metal used in transformer cores is a

unique alloy of Fe–Si–B (iron, silicon and boron) that is

produced by extremely rapid solidification from the alloy

melt. This causes the metal atoms to form a random

pattern, as opposed to conventional Cold-Rolled Grain-

Oriented (CRGO) silicon steel (a Fe–Si alloy), which has

an organized crystalline structure. The amorphous

structure, usually associated with non-metallic systems

looks like glass - which has prompted the name ‘glassy

metal’ widely used for such materials.

The absence of a crystalline structure in amorphous

metal allows easy magnetization of the material, leading

to lower hysteresis losses. The eddy current losses are

also lower in amorphous metal due to a combination of

its low thickness and a high electrical resistivity of 130

µΩ-cm compared to the 51 µΩ-cm in CRGO silicon

steels. Thus, amorphous metal has a much lower total

loss than even the best grades of CRGO steel, by up to 70

percent.

Amorphous metal cores have a proven track-record of

over 20 years in liquid-filled transformers and this

technology is now being applied to dry-type

transformers.

Advantages of dry-type transformersDry-type distribution transformers offer significant

practical advantages, including: no fire risk; no risk of

escape of pollutants or fire-hazardous substances; long

lifetime; high mechanical strength; ability to cope with

load changes, overloads, short-circuits and over-voltages;

and reduced installation footprint. This means they can

be installed near their place of use – saving on cabling

and reducing losses in cables and terminals on the low-

voltage side.

EcoDry rangeABB’s EcoDry range includes transformers that reduce

no-load losses by up to 70%, and by more than 30% at

full load, when compared with international reference

standards such as the European CENELEC HD538

standard and the US Department of Energy energy

conservation standard for distribution transformers

introduced in 2010.

For each GW saved, there is the potential for an annual

reduction of five million tonnes of CO2 emissions – a

single 1,000 kVA unit can save 7 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Lower losses also generate less heat, so there is a

reduced aging effect on the transformer insulation.

EcoDry transformers achieve higher efficiency levels

through the use of state-of-the-art materials and

components, including amorphous metal as the core

material, as well as the latest simulation methods for

loss-optimized design. They are available in ratings from

100 to 3,150 kVA, with operating voltage up to 36 kV.

The EcoDry range includes three models, each

designed to meet the different needs of applications

where losses are either predominantly ‘no-load’ losses

(caused by fluctuating magnetization of, and eddy

currents in, the transformer core), or ‘load’ losses (which

occur in the conductors due to ohmic loss and eddy

currents, and increase quadratically with the load), or a

combination of the two.

EcoDryBasic – low-load efficiency for powerutilitiesDistribution transformers at power utilities often see only

a low mean load in actual operation. With low load

profiles, it is the no-load losses that account for the major

proportion of total losses and they are three to five times

higher than the load losses. This means a significant

reduction in no-load losses is one of the paramount

considerations for the EcoDryBasic transformer, a high-

tech product, based on 30 years of experience, and

developed using the very latest simulation methods for a

loss-optimised design.

The EcoDryBasic transformer is specifically designed to

meet the needs of power utilities by providing low-load

efficiency that enables losses and CO2 emissions to be

reduced by more than 50%.

EcoDry99plus – full-load efficiency for industrialapplicationsIn an ideal world, industrial plant is operating at or near

full capacity, and mean loading of the distribution

transformer of 60% or more is not uncommon. The costs

of load losses, and their reduction, can be significant.

In a typical industrial application, an EcoDry99Plus

transformer rated at 1,000 kVA, with 10,000 V primary

voltage, would reduce annual power losses by more than

30,000 kWh, and cut CO2 emissions by some 18 tonnes

per year. At full load, the transformer operates at over

99% efficiency.

EcoDryUltra – efficiency across the load rangeEcoDryUltra transformers combine the advantages of the

EcoDryBasic and EcoDry99Plus to minimise no-load and

load losses simultaneously. This transformer type is ideal

for variable loads – such as renewable energy

applications – and in applications where the supply is

fed through two transformers at the same time (for

redundancy) and so each is continuously operated at

medium load – such as in pumping or ventilation

systems.

ConclusionDistribution transformers have a vital role to play in

helping power utilities and general industry meet targets

for reducing carbon emissions, as well as boosting

efficiency and cutting running costs. The next generation

of low-loss dry amorphous distribution transformers can

effectively reduce overall losses, contributing to energy

savings, lower operating costs and reduced

environmental impact.

For each GW

saved, there is

the potential for

an annual

reduction of

five million

tonnes of CO2

emissions

An amorphous core

FACTORY SAFETY


FOR THE LAST year or so machine owners and

manufacturers have had the choice of complying with the

old Machine Safety Directive, based on EN 954-1, or the

new Directive, in compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 or EN

(IEC) 62061. Some have chosen to make the switch early,

while others have opted to wait until the last minute – in

this case 31st December 2011 – before adopting the new

Directive.

As the deadline rapidly approaches, I would argue

there are clear benefits to adopting the new Directive at

the earliest opportunity – and the benefits offered by

compliance with the new Directive outweigh any

perceived disadvantages. The reasons for this lie in

the fact the new Directive was introduced

specifically to address inherent limitations in the

old one.

The key issue here is EN 954-1 hasn’t kept

pace with the changes in the industry. In

particular, it focuses on calculated risk using a

simple category system, whereby system behaviours

are set against categories. The issue is the wider

implementation of programmable electronics in safety

systems means that such a simple system is no longer

appropriate. Essentially the new Machinery Directive

brings the regulations into line with what is already

current practice and has the potential to improve safety.

So, for example, while EN ISO 13849-1 takes its core

from the familiar categories in EN 954-1:1996 by

examining complete safety functions,

including all the components involved in

their design, it takes things further. This is

because it goes beyond this qualitative

approach to include a quantitative assessment of the

safety functions, based on a performance level (PL) that

builds on the category approach.

The components and devices that make up the system

require the following safety parameters:

� Category (structural requirement)

� PL: Performance level

� MTTFd: Mean time to dangerous failure

� B10d: Number of cycles by which 10% of a random

sample of wearing components have failed

dangerously

� DC: Diagnostic coverage

� CCF: Common cause failure

� TM: Mission time

In addition, EN ISO 13849-1 includes a description of

how to calculate the PL that can be achieved when

several safety-related parts are combined into one overall

system, a very important factor in integrated safety

systems. Any deviations from EN ISO 13849-1 are referred

to IEC 61508.

Consequently, one of the major benefits of EN ISO

13849-1 is that it enables much wider use of

programmable safety relays – enabling machine users to

take advantage of the latest technologies. And it’s also

worth noting the cost of these technologies has been

greatly reduced in recent years, so if you’d felt they were

too costly in the past you will find the situation has

changed.

Programmable safety relays offer a number of time and

cost savings and these begin at the early design stages

and go right through to everyday operations. An obvious

example is the ability to test safety circuits in the software

before they are installed, which greatly reduces the time-

consuming onsite testing and re-testing associated with

stand-alone relays.

Similarly, working out the hard wiring feedback

protocol is very complex using traditional methods

whereas a flexible logic editor will flag up potential

problems so they can be designed out.

Reductions in installation time are also possible

because programmable safety relays are simply wired

back to a central I/O point, so there is no need for the

feedback loops and interconnecting terminals that go with

stand-alone relays. Plus there is a reduction in the overall

number of sub-systems – and the simpler a system is the

less it is likely to develop faults.

Diagnostic functionality is also improved because

programmable systems offer constant test outputs with

full integrated fault diagnosis through the software –

something that can’t be done with stand-alone systems.

The upshot of this is less time is consumed carrying out

manual fault tracing, as the diagnostics narrow down the

search and allow engineers to home in on that problem

area. In fact, it is often possible for such faults to be

rectified without calling in specialist engineers. So

downtime and disruption are minimised by faster fault

THERE ARE NOW LESS THAN 12 MONTHS TO GO BEFORE MACHINE

OWNERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH

THE NEW MACHINE SAFETY DIRECTIVE. PAUL CONSIDINE OF

WIELAND ELECTRIC SUGGESTS THERE ARE BENEFITS TO MAKING

THE SWITCH EARLIER

Signing up for SAFETY

The samos PRO is a compact

modular safety controller for

machine and automation control


The Directive applies

to any machine that

is placed on the

market – not just to

new machines

tracing and rectification. And even when specialist input is

required, at a hefty hourly rate, this will be minimised so

expenditure on outside engineers is reduced.

Commissioning also benefits, as the software highlights

any errors and helps to speed up the whole process, again

saving time and money. And if the original settings are

saved it is relatively easy to restore the system to its original

settings if someone adjusts a parameter and finds it doesn’t

work.

A further advantage is the full reporting structure, which

enables reports to be generated automatically and added to

the technical file, avoiding all of the time often dedicated to

producing reports manually. These reports can also be used

to focus maintenance resources in the areas that most need

them.

As the new standards come in and facilitate the use of

programmable safety relays, work by our company in this

area has adopted a modular approach which also takes

advantage of newer processing technologies. This has the

effect of driving down costs down and producing highly

affordable systems. As a rule of thumb, an ‘old style’ system

using 3-4 stand-alone safety relays could be replaced by a

programmable system for about the same cost, but with all

the additional benefits. More extensive systems can be

expected to deliver even greater savings, while paying a

slightly higher price for smaller systems will often be worth

it for the improved functionality.

EN 62061It’s also important to note EN ISO 13849-1 will operate in

conjunction with EN 62061, which is a sector-specific

standard under IEC 61508. EN 62061, which is based on

quantitative and qualitative examinations of the safety-

related control functions, examines the overall life cycle

from the concept phase through to decommissioning. It also

describes the implementation of safety-related electrical and

electronic control systems on machinery.

In describing performance level, EN 62061 uses the safety

integrity level (SIL) and Probability of Dangerous Failure Per

Hour (PFHD) parameters – and a number of safety sub-

functions are derived from the risk analysis. This

arrangement aligns to the sub-systems that make up a

safety related control system, so that safety sub-function are

assigned to the software or hardware devices that are sub-

systems or sub-system elements.

Looking beyond safetySafety is clearly of paramount importance and will be the

overriding consideration. However, there are other benefits to

early adoption of the new Machine Safety Directive to bear in

mind as well. Not least of these is the awareness amongst

end users that EN 954-1 is no longer suitable for many

applications, even if they don’t understand the ins and outs of

it. So there will be a concern that needs to be addressed by

those with specialist knowledge, in providing accurate advice

and explaining the options and their implications.

Such implications should also take account of other

commercial issues, particularly for machine manufacturers

or machine owners looking to sell their existing machines

on the second-hand market. For example, compliance with

the new Directive is likely to have broader acceptance

throughout the European Union where machines may be

moved between countries. Compliance is also likely to make

CE marking more straightforward.

In fact the exchange or modification of machines is

another factor that needs to borne in mind, as the Directive

applies to any machine that is placed on the market – not

just to new machines. In this respect, modifying a machine

is regarded as placing it on the market so a new Declaration

of Conformity may need to be issued, as would be the case

with a brand new machine. The modified machine may also

need to go through the CE marking process again. So

compliance with the new Directive can be seen as a way of

‘future-proofing’ against difficulties that may arise in the

future.

It’s clear some machine owners have delayed switching

to compliance with the new Directive because they’ve been

busy with other things and have felt they didn’t have the

time to devote to getting to grips with the new Directive.

There is also the possibility of a small increase in costs,

which in the current climate could be another factor.

However, with the transitional period coming to an end

there is no longer time for such luxuries and it will be

necessary to bite the bullet and get to grips with the new

Directive sooner rather than later. Here there is an ideal

opportunity for electrical engineers, possibly working with

companies that have particular expertise in this area, to play

an important role in guiding end clients to the best solution.

And, as outlined above, any such advice needs to take

account of all of the factors, from the safety aspects right

through to design advantages and the opportunity to cut

life cycle costs through the application of the latest

technologies.

The 4000 Series of universal safety relays


TRAINING

IT IS NO secret the UK faces a huge challenge if it is to meet

current carbon reduction commitments, which require an 80%

reduction in our carbon emissions by 2050.

Drastic energy savings will need to be made to meet this

challenge, and it is our built environment, which accounts for

nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions, that offers the best

route to achieve this. If we are serious about meeting these

targets, every home, office, and commercial and industrial

space in the UK needs to become energy efficient.

If done correctly, this challenge can be turned into an

opportunity.

The role of the electrical industryElectricity is the lifeblood of every building, and the majority of

sustainable technologies, such as energy efficient lighting,

controls, sensors, and photovoltaics are powered by electricity.

This means electricians have a vital role to play advising and

installing the energy efficiency technologies which will be key

to achieving carbon reduction targets.

Although current operatives may need to update their skills

to gain specialist expertise, none of this calls for a new breed

of ‘green’ installer. Fully trained electricians already possess the

core skills to act as the frontline troops in the fight to cut

carbon emissions.

However, meeting this challenge will require significant

numbers of operatives. In the domestic market alone, 2,000

homes per day will need to be refurbished, which will create

significant demand for people to carry out this work -

something which has the potential to secure a new and

ongoing market.

Skills challenges to the industry and UK plcThe UK must be in a position to respond to this demand, and

obstacles to training the workforce, in particular, employer

engagement must be overcome.

Apprenticeships are the traditional and best entry route to a

vocational career in our industry. Historically, electricity boards

were the main employers of apprentices, but since

privatisation, this is no longer the case, and the onus has

increasingly fallen on the SME.

The current recession also means companies don’t always

prioritise training. Despite the best efforts of electrical

contractors, the number of apprentices continues to fall.

With a lack of new entrants coming into the industry and

the average age of a qualified electrician in the UK being 45,

we could soon face a skills crisis where we will not have the

skilled workforce to cope with demand.

If this skills challenge is to be addressed, a business culture

that encourages companies to train must be created.

Thousands of new apprenticeship places will have no value if

employers are not in a position to take advantage of them.

The ECA believes efforts should be directed towards

achieving industry-recognised outcomes, which lead to jobs

and employability. We must work together with government

to ensure the investment we make in skills is appropriate and

develops a sustainable skills base for our young people and

our industry.

ECA solutions If we achieve this, we will win the public’s confidence in

‘green’ solutions. It is imperative clients have confidence the

right solution for their circumstances has been recommended

and fitted, as well as confidence that energy-saving measures

and renewable technologies are fitted safely and correctly the

first time round.

There already seems to be recognition of this amongst

electrical contractors, and at ECA we have seen real appetite

for micro-generation courses and the Micro-generation

Certification Scheme (MCS).

To help members better understand this market, the ECA

has taken to the road with a Green Opportunities Roadshow

featuring seminars and a specially fitted truck kitted out with

renewable and energy-efficient technologies. The roadshow

truck and seminars will help electrical professionals gain an in-

depth understanding of renewable and energy-efficient

technologies, as well as the business opportunities afforded to

them by the government’s low carbon agenda. For more

information on the ECA roadshow visit:

www.eca.co.uk/roadshow.

A sustainable futureThe sustainability agenda presents a challenge, but

significant opportunities can also be found. We must view

this agenda as an ongoing project, as we do the

maintenance of the Forth Bridge. Following initial

installation, technologies will need to be maintained or

replaced several times between now and 2050 creating a

flourishing business environment for those involved in this

market.

To create a sustainable environment, we must create a

sustainable workforce by setting a path that prioritises the

acquisition of skills at the right level, and in sufficient

numbers. Only then can we look to the future and meet the

challenge of the sustainability agenda.

THIS IS NOT JUST A SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE; THIS IS A SKILLS CHALLENGE, SAYS IAIN

MACDONALD, HEAD OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING AT THE ECA

The SUSTAINABILITY agendaIs the electrical industry ready for the challenge?

Iain MacDonald

Caption

Despite the best

efforts of

electrical

contractors, the

number of

apprentices

continues to fall


TRAINING

THE COMING YEAR will be marked by a change in the

vocational education sector. The Qualifications Credit

Framework (QCF) – which was introduced by the Labour

Government in 2009, and came into force in January 2011 –

will alter the way vocational training is delivered; it is

undoubtedly the biggest change to take hold of vocational

education since NVQs were brought in during the late 1980s.

The shake-up is the result of a shift in popular opinion,

predominantly led by the government, which is increasingly

citing skills-based careers as the driver by which the UK

economy will be rebuilt.

What is the new framework?The QCF offers a simplified learning process, allowing those

responsible for training and development to invest in a more

flexible qualification structure for their staff. They can now do

this because the modules that make up QCF qualifications can

be taken at the employee’s pace, allowing career development

to fit around professional and personal commitments.

Qualifications will be built up in units, with each unit

having a level and a ‘value’. Learners will be awarded credits

for every unit they pass, where one credit represents 10 hours

of learning time. From April 2011, the electrical industry’s

Assessment of Occupational Competence (AOC), the AM2, will

be a compulsory unit for anyone signing up for an

electrotechnical NVQ Level 3 qualification:

� Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Installing, Testing and Ensuring

Compliance of Electrical Installation Work in Dwellings

� Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical

Systems and Equipment (Building Structures and the

Environment)

As clarification, the term NVQ (National Vocational

Qualification) will still be used in titles where the qualification

is competence based, and directly aligned to National

Occupational Standards. So, for all trainee electricians studying

for a Level 3 qualification the NVQ title will still apply.

The AM2 has long been a formal part of the national UK

work based apprenticeship; but until now, it was not a

compulsory requirement under the equivalent Level 3 NVQ

qualification taken by adults training to enter the industry.

Embedding AM2 in the new NVQ structure under the QCF is

visibly the right way forward, as it aligns requirements for all

electrical trainees at Level 3, be they apprentice or adult. This

will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the wider electrical

industry, raising standards across the board.

The AM2 – at the heart of industry

As the AOC for the electrical industry, AM2 is the practical

assessment that proves an individual’s competence in

electrical work. The assessment was launched by the industry

in 1985, and redesigned last year with the demands of today’s

environment in mind, and with an enhanced emphasis on

safety. The AM2 aims to reflect ‘real life’, assessing competence

in the typical tasks and time conditions that a qualified

electrician would experience at work within a property or site.

AM2 is generally the final stage of an apprenticeship or

NVQ; it is taken at the end of the training period when the

candidate is almost fully trained and therefore likely to be

ready to have their practical ability tested across the breadth of

electrical work. However, before sitting AM2, candidates have

the opportunity to consider if they are in a good position to

pass the assessment, by means of a pre-assessment exercise

based on the tasks they will have to perform in the AM2.

Benefits to learners, employers and industryBy incorporating the AM2 into the Level 3 NVQ, employers

benefit as much as learners do. Every qualified NVQ Level 3

holder will be able to provide evidence they are equipped

with the right skills and employers can be confident taking on

an electrician who has come through the NVQ route, rather

than through an apprenticeship, is equally competent to

support their business appropriately. This will be particularly

important as the UK embarks on the government’s low-

carbon initiatives, which will require a large number of

qualified electricians to play a key role over the next 40 years.

NET has been working closely with the UK’s two awarding

bodies for the electrotechnical NVQ Level 3, EAL and City and

Guilds, as they incorporate the AM2 into their suites of NVQ

Level 3 electrical qualifications. From next year all relevant

qualifications will list the AM2 as a compulsory component,

and learners enrolled on these level 3 NVQs will be required

to sit the AOC irrespective of their training provider or college.

This highlights the role of the AM2 in ensuring competence

within the electrical industry.

STEPHEN PLANT, BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF NET, DISCUSSES HOW THE

DECISION TO MAKE THE AM2 A FORMAL UNIT OF THE NEW LEVEL 3 NVQ WILL ENSURE

GREATER COMPETENCE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SECTOR

The assessment of occupational competence at LEVEL 3

Stephen Plant

Caption

Qualifications

will be built up

in units, with

each unit

having a level

and a ‘value’

The new NVQ Diplomas in Electrotechnical work under the

QCF structure came into place this year and will be available

nationally, through (electrical) training providers and further

education colleges and others licensed to offer EAL (EMTA

Awards Ltd) and City and Guilds qualifications. To find a

licensed provider, visit the EAL and City or Guilds websites

www.eal.org.uk; www.cityandguilds.com

PRODUCT WATCH

LEDS LIGHTING THE WAY” When Click Scolmore joined forces last year with Energetic - the world’s leading low energy light manufacturer

- the company was keen to stress that continual product development would remain high on the agenda, in orderto bring the best technological advancements to the UK market.

It is less than four months since the launch of Click Energetic to the trade and already three new LED productshave been added to the collection. An LED 6 Watt Dimmable Reflector and two 12V Low Voltage Reflector lampsare now available, bringing the total LED lamp offering to 17. As with the rest of the LED range the new additionsoffer an extremely long life time of up to 30,000hours, and based on usage of up to 2.7 hours per daythey will last 30 years. They also offer savings of upto 85% on energy usage

Click Scolmore01827 63454www.scolmore.com

NEW TRAINING MANAGER Videx Security has always placed great emphasis on technical support

and has continually invested in people and training facilities. The newposition of training manager has now been created and has been filled byAaron Houghton.

Houghton has prepared a full range of high quality training material forVidex training events that in 2011 which will take place at the company'sLondon and Newcastle offices or at customers' own premises when four ormore engineers are to be trained.

Houghton joined Videx as a trainee estimator in 2006 and since then hasgained in-depth knowledge of the Videx product range, allowing him to provide system design from siteplans and also custom designed systems. In 2008 he joined the company's technical support and themove into the training manager position is a natural progression.

Videx Security0191 2388 303www.videx-security.com

NEW UK ONLINE SELLEROF LIGHT FITTINGS

Online internet retailer, the InternetElectrical Store, is pleased to announce itis now the exclusive UK seller/distributorof the range of light fittings manufacturedby Kanlux SA.

Kanlux SA, based in Poland andestablished in 1989, achieved ISO9001:2000 certification and producesquality products at affordable prices. TheKanlux product range consists of over1200 items .

Designed for the commercial anddomestic markets, Kanlux productsinclude alarms & PIR (passive infra red)motion sensors, cupboard light fittings,decorative fittings, desk lamps, electricalinstallation equipment, extractor fans,hermetic (airtight) ceiling and wall lightfittings, industrial lighting, outdoor floodlighting, outdoor LED lighting & lightbulbs.

Internet Electrical Store01342 823587www.theinternetelectricalstore.com

ENCLOSURES LAUNCHEDFOR ENHANCED SAFETYTESTING

A new range of electrical safety testenclosures incorporates a host of features tooptimise safety for the operator and maximiseflexibility for the production engineer.

The Clare Visor enclosures from Seawardfeature a modern ergonomic design to enableproduction personnel to carry out the safe andcontrolled electrical testing of a wide range ofproducts in compliance with EN50191. Product issupplied fully wired, fully interlocked and canprovide an out of the box solution whichspecifies safe working conditions for electricaltesting.

Constructed from heavy duty insulatingplastic, the new enclosure design incorporates aspecial pallet system to allow the fast and simpleinsertion of different fixtures to accommodatethe testing of a wide range of appliances andelectrical/electronic devices.

Seaward Electronic0191 586 3511www.seaward.co.uk

ISSUE 10 OF THE LITTLE RED BOOK Issue 10 of FS Cables cabling guide The Little Red Book is now available.

Extended to 180 pages and increased in size to A5, a host of new products and updatedtechnical tables are included.

The coax section now benefits from a full range of connectors in stock, so you can easilyselect the accompanying connector when choosing your cable.

A range of tools make an appearance for the first time,including cable cutters, strippers and crimpers, tools forcoaxial and structured wiring.

This is in addition to the existing pages on data, coaxand bus cables, signal & control, telephone and audiocables, high temperature cables including silicones andPTFE, rubber & crane, spiral cables and section on cablesfor fire & security.

To request your free copy, simply contact FS Cables,details below.

FS Cables01727 840 841www.fscables.com/littleredbook

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

RCD’S FOR UNDER £11 EACH Order-Point has a wide selection of RCD’s, all for less than £11! We’ve searched the web and have

struggled to find any as cheap as ours – unless you’re looking to buy a hundred of them, which more oftenthan not is not necessary!

As well as offering a good price, we have a wide selection available for a number of applications. Availablewith a rated current between 25A and 80A, and a rated tripping current of either 30mA or 100mA we have

an RCD for you.All RCD’s are single pole, have a 6KA Rated Short Circuit and conform to both the

EN61008 and IEC61008 standards.What’s more, as ever, you will enjoy next day delivery anywhere in the UK – which

is free on all orders over £50.

Order-Point 0844 2094361www.order-point.biz

PRODUCT WATCH

LIGHTING SCHEME GOES SWIMMINGLY Harlow Leisurezone, a new sports and leisure centre earmarked as a training facility for the

2012 Olympics, has recently installed Sill Lighting’s high performance projectors to light the 25mswimming pool, training pool and spectator seating area.

The lighting scheme design solution for the new build leisure centre was to use acombination of uplighting and downlighting to achieve both efficiency and glare control. Thescheme also had to take into account the low reflectance values of the timber finishes of boththe ceilings and walls.

Mounted on specially made bespoke brackets either side of the swimming pool, are twentyback-to-back pairs of uplights and downlights. Sill’s 467power plane projectors with 1000w metal halide lampsuplight the roof for illumination without veiling glare, whilstunderneath, providing efficient, direct light are Sill’s dynamiccurved 458 plane projectors with 400w metal halide lamps.

Sill Lighting UK 01844-260006www.sill-uk.com

NEW DECORATIVESPECTRAL PRODUCT

RIDI Lighting has announced the UK launch ofits versatile Spectral luminaire, IRIS. The decorative,circular T5 luminaire provides a striking touch toany commercial lighting design.

Available in surface mounted, suspended, wallmounted or recessed versions, with fullycustomisable decorative interior colour foils, IRISwill be suited to a wide range of applications,from the boardroom right through to office andcore areas.

IRIS comprises an anodised aluminium housing,containing a low glare reeded micro-prismdiffuser, wrapped in opaque, coloured ortransparent clear acrylic case. It is available in arange of colours and can also be custom tailoredto match any corporate identity. All versionsfeature a unique hollow centre which is possibleby means of a bespoke circular circuit board thatcontains all the luminaire electronics.

Ridi Lighting 01279 450882www.ridi-lighting.co.uk

UPGRADED HIGH-BAYLUMINAIRE

Cooper Lighting and Safety, a business unit ofCooper Safety, has revamped its Pacemaker high-bay luminaire, with the addition of new lampoptions and optical attachments to the range anda redesign of the control-gear housing.

Pacemaker 2 now offers a choice of compactfluorescent, high-pressure sodium or metal-halidelight sources. As well as helping to reduce energyconsumption, the new compact fluorescentmodels are available in either high-frequency or

digital-dimmingversions and can bespecified with integralemergency control gearif required.

All discharge-lampmodels can be suppliedwith an optionalauxiliary run-up lamp,which strikesimmediately anddisconnects when 80%of the discharge-lamp

light output is reached. Optical attachments available for Pacemaker 2

include two sizes of high-efficiency refractor foruse where a direct/indirect lighting effect isrequired, an IP65 safety glass attachment, a wireguard, and a self-cleaning aluminium reflector.

Cooper Lighting and Safety 01302 303200www.cooper-ls.com

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH Modular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos Ltd, is pleased to announce

the launch of its new website www.modularwiring.com.Providing a valuable resource, the website explains what modular wiring systems are for those unfamiliar

with the concept as well as the benefits of such systems over traditional fixed installations.It features an overview of typical power and lighting systems designed and produced by Modular Wiring

Systems, with explanations and easy to understand colour diagrams. The different types of cables usedwithin the systems are also detailed; these include Armoured, Unarmoured, Armourlite, Arnourflex, FireResistant and Fibre to the Desk cable.

A range of support material is available direct from the new website, including latest news stories, downloadable catalogues and casestudies covering a range of applications such as healthcare, academic,financial services, landmark and commercial buildings.

Modular Wiring Systems01753 566700www.modularwiring.com

LIGHTING CONTROL PLATES The new Kensington range of lighting control plates from iLight by Cooper

Controls, combines efficient performance and high level functionality with a stylishdesign that will meet the needs of the most demanding applications.

Available in 2, 5, 7 and 9 standard button configurations, with or without Infra-red control, the Kensington range features white LEDs and offers a wide choice ofhigh quality metal finishes including, brushed stainless steel, bright chrome,polished brass and white. Custom finishes are also available to order, soKensington plates can be selected to blend with and complement any décor.

The Kensington range is also discreet with a low profile design that stands just4mm off the wall.

Cooper Controls01923 495495www.coopercontrol.com

PRODUCT WATCH

LATEST GENERATION OF ELECTRICAL DESIGNSOFTWARE

Amtech 2011 is the latest generation of electrical design and certification software. Full ofbrand new features, this software enables users to achieve much more in less time, delivering areal boost to efficiency and productivity.

New features in FastTest 2011 include improved validation which highlights any unpopulatedfields and checks that data inserted meets governing body standards in both BS and Amtechcertificates, saving time and improving accuracy. Also new, are the Amtech Standard FireDetection and Alarm System Design Certificates, for design work on both new and modifiedsystems. FastTest also integrates with Estimation’s Service and Maintenance package (SM),

offering complete control of work scheduling.New tools in ProDesign 2011 include the enhanced Data

Entry module, enabling better management of load data,including motor loads.

Amtech Power Software 01908 608 833www.amtech-power.co.uk/2011

OFF-THE-SHELF THERMAL CUT-OUTS PEPI’s FCP series thermal cut-outs offer a neat solution to thermaland current overload problems. Despite the small size, the modelFCP is capable of switching upto 8A/250VAC (12A/24VDC) thusenabling it to be used across a wide range of transformers orelectric motors. It is also ideal for monitoring heat-sink orcomponent temperatures in power electronic applications.

The FCP is readily available from stock with calibrations from 50°C to 130°C and is UL andVDE approved to the latest IEC standards. Higher values upto 160°C are also available uponrequest.

Call ATC Semitec today for your free samples and application advice.

ATC Semitec 01606 871680www.atcsemitec.co.uk

ENHANCED DIGITAL VIDEORECORDERS To build on the success of the highly popular VKLCD15/4 4channel DVR with built in 15” LCD monitor, Facina hasintroduced an 8 Channel DVR with built in 19” LCD monitor andthe new FD1 range of 4, 8 & 16 Channel stand alone variants.

Each of these latest generation recorders uses H.264 videocompression to increase footage storage capacity & a graphicalinterface to simplify operation & installation.

USB ports allow easy back up of incidents via memory stick &all machines have a network port to allow access features suchas email alerts, web access, ftp file sharing and mobile phonesurveillance.

AVS 01253 830 904www.audiovisualsecurity.org.uk

SPECIALIST VENTILATION PRODUCT SUPPORT The ever-growing demand for ventilation products has seen Addvent expand its commitment to itscustomers by providing a professional, office-based ventilation design service.

The design service is part of Addvent’s commitment to provide electrical contractors with specialistventilation product support. This ensures the most suitable products are quoted forreplacement/refurbishment or new building projects to comply with the more stringent requirements of

the new 2010 Part F and Part L Building Regulations.From detailed drawings supplied by the contractor, the

Addvent technical team can develop a design schemelisting all the equipment required for the project. Theservice applies to all schemes from residential tocommercial and industrial projects.

Addvent 0117 938 6400www.addvent.co.uk

DALI CONTROL MODULE ALC Lighting Controls, now part of the CooperControls, has launched a new DALI pre-addressed, pluggable lighting control module thathelps users to comply with energy efficiencylegislation and carbon reduction, whilst meetingthe latest trend for flexible workingenvironments. When used as part of a fullynetworked system, this module is incrediblyflexible and caneasily be re-programmed torespond tochanges inworkingmethods androom layouts.

This newDALI controlmodule features nine outputs and is available ina single fix option, for use with structuredcabling, or a two part conventionally wiredversion. Each of the nine outputs utilises theindustry standard Wieland GST plug and the pre-addressed nature of the product alleviates theneed for additional on-site DALI addressing, thussaving substantial costs in terms of time andlabour.

ALC Lighting Controls 08700 332388www.apexlightingcontrols.co.uk

SMALL FOOTPRINT WITHLOW HEAT GENERATION Amphenol Industrial now offers three compact, high-amperage, ROHS-compliant Radsok PCB connectorsfor a variety of power bus applications.

These applications include, but are not limited to,high-power bus assembly utilities, power-to-boardservers, power-to-box servers and batterypower/chargers for electric vehicles. The company’sRadsok technology uses a hyperbolic, stamped grid

configuration that ensures a large, coaxial, face-to-face surface area engagement to maximise heatdissipation and reduce failures.

The Radsert, PowerBlok and PGY connectorsfeature dependable operation and offer more surfacespace within a circuit board design while eliminatingthreaded connection failures. They are ideal for usein high-current, single-point connections.

Amphenol IndustrialOperations Europe +39 02 93254 204www.amphenol-industrial.com

VERSATILE LIGHTINGMANAGEMENT SYSTEM Delmatic has supplied a sophisticated lightingmanagement system to Eleven Brindleyplace,contributing to this 14 storey edifice becoming the first

building in Birmingham’sBrindleyplace development toachieve a BREEAM Excellentrating. As well as optimisinglighting energy consumption, thesystem provides tenants with ahigh level of flexibility tocustomise the lighting to theirneeds, a key criterion fordevelopers Argent.

The Delmatic lightingmanagement system, specified by BAM Design, providesfully-flexible addressable dimming control of lightingwithin office (tenant) areas. It comprises a number ofproducts from the Metro range, including One Ten plug-in modules with DSI dimming, Twelve Twelve and FourFour modules in core areas, routers, sensors and infra-redtransmitter fobs – all controlled through the company’sgraphical software interface.

Delmatic 0208 987 5900www.delmatic.com

PRODUCT WATCHLED DOWNLIGHTS REDUCE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS Cooper Lighting and Safety, a business unit of Cooper Safety, has supplied 65 of its RXD1 LED downlightsto the Dominion Centre in Wood Green, London, which is a former theatre now used as a place of

worship. In addition to helping to minimise the building’s energyconsumption, the LED fittings provide a long service life whileeliminating the need for lamp changes.

The RXD1 uses a multi-chip LED light source. Unlike conventionalhigh-output LEDs, this technology incorporates multiple LEDs in asingle package, giving increased light output in a smaller space anda wider spread of light.

The luminaire has a power consumption of just 25W and achievesan efficacy of up to 61 lumens per circuit watt, which easily exceeds the latest Building Regulationsrequirement of 55 lumens per circuit watt for commercial lighting (Part L2), as well as the lowerrequirement of 45 lumens per circuit watt for residential lighting (Part L1).

Cooper Lighting and Safety 01302 303200www.cooper-ls.com

MULTITESTER MAXIMISESPRODUCTIVITY Ethos can now provide a 12-in1 multitester instrumentcombining an outstanding range of useful features tomaximise productivity and efficiency on the job.

The Ethos 5700 is an easy to use, durable testingdevice combining all of the features of a multimeterand environmental tester in one, with the addedfeatures of a light meter, sound lever meter, humidity

meter, temperature meter andnon-contact AC voltagedetector.

The temperature readingsare provided in eitherCentigrade or Fahrenheit,depending on the user’spreference.

The versatile, high-speciation instrument has

different functions including volt AC/DC, currentAC/DC, resistance, capacitance, frequency, diode checkand continuity-ideal for a large amount ofapplications.

Ethos Instrument 0191 378 3990 www.ethos-instruments.co.uk

NEW INSTALLATION TESTER MODELS Fluke has introduced two new models, the Fluke 1654B and the Fluke 1652C, to itsrange of rugged, easy-to-use Fluke 1650B Series of installation testers. The Fluke1654B enhancements include RCD type B testing and increased data storage, whilethe Fluke 1652C includes a phase sequence indicator. The Fluke 1650B Series ofmultifunction installation testers are designed for high productivity testing andverification of domestic, commercial and industrial electrical installations.

The new Fluke 1652C is the ideal tester for all domestic applications, covering allthe basic needs for testing to the 17th Edition wiring regulations / Part P of thebuilding regulations. The Fluke 1653B is the ideal tester for professional trouble-

shooters working in both domestic andcommercial applications. The new Fluke1654B is the complete tester for virtually allelectrical wiring installations in domestic,commercial and industrial applications.

Fluke (UK) 020 7942 0700www.fluke.co.uk

ENCLOSURES FOR EXTREME INSTALLATIONS The re-engineered Euronord and Tempo enclosure ranges from Fibox are not only innovativelydesigned, robustly built as demanded by industry, but they are also very affordable.

In addition to the wide range of standard enclosure products, Fibox can custom manufacturethese enclosures based on customer requirements for small, medium and large-scale projects.

The aluminium Euronord range is now available in 22 additional sizes ranging from 50 x 45 x 32to 600 x 310 x 180.The entire range is now produced using the latest vacuum die cast technology,which completely eliminates the possibility of air pockets and now features products withperpendicular walls which eliminates draught angles, thus offering an attractive option forenclosures that need to be sequentially mounted.

Fibox has also announced newly added benefits to theTempo range. In order to deliver a viable option to those‘less expensive’ imports that have appeared on themarket, Fibox has added 5 new sizes to the smaller endof the Tempo series.

Fibox 01642 604 400www.fibox.com

PV INVERTERS WITH G83 CERTIFICATION GE has announced the launch of its SVT Series, a new range of grid tiephotovoltaic inverters certified to the UK requirements of G83.

The units feature a transformer-less and fan-less design for maximumefficiency and provide a rapid return on investment. A 5-year warrantyis available as standard and the inverters are rated to IP65 making

them suitable for outdoor use.Two independent MPPT boosters are

available on the 4 and 5kW units providingadditional flexibility when installing panelsand the connection back to the inverter.Units are supplied with simple keypad andcontrol software as standard withconnection via RS232 or Ethernet to enablereal time data analysis of generation outputtrends, CO2 savings and monetary yield etc.

The free software also enables quick diagnostics of the system as wellas e-mail or SMS notification of errors and events.

GE Power Controls 0800 587 1251www.gepowercontrols.com/eu

PRODUCT WATCH

NEW HOODS FOR INDUSTRIAL CONNECTORS A new range of hoods for Harting's Han-Compact(R) family of industrial connectors offer a choiceof straight or angled cable entry, and are based on a two-piece structure for convenient handling.

The compact metal hoods are suitable for all contact inserts in the Han-Compact(R) range, andinclude variants with surfaces for standard and EMC applications. The outer threads are mouldedonto the hood. The range also includes cost-effective half-cable glands for a range of cablediameters and an IRIS spring for shield termination.

Thanks to the two-piece design of the hood, users can slip the hood element including the cablegland onto the cable during assembly. This facilitates speedyinstallation and rapid wiring of the contacts. The operation iscompleted by closing the hood element and fastening it withthe screws.

Harting 01604 827500www.harting.co.uk

CONSUMER UNIT LOCK DOWN Legrand has enhanced its popular consumer unit range byintroducing lockable brackets that allow contractors to meet on-sitehealth and safety requirements for the safe and secure isolation ofcircuits in a cost effective and easy to use manner.

The brackets, which are available in two sizes, are designed foruse with the company’s 16 and 22 module surface mountedinsulated consumer units. They can be fitted with ease around the consumer unit and can be secured with astandard padlock, and then removed and reused once a site / plot is finished.

Caroline Boden, a marketing manager for Legrand’s wiring device business unit, said: “This is a unique andstraightforward solution to a common safety and security issue, which to date has been addressed mainly throughthe availability of expensive lockable consumer units.”

Legrand 0845 6054333www.legrand.co.uk

PETROL STATION REFURBISHMENTFAST-TRACKED Electrical contractor Active Connect is all geared up to installMarshall-Tufflex’s MT32 prefabricated modular wiring solutionin BP company owned petrol stations around the countryfollowing a successful trial of the system at a site in Surrey.

As a BP approved electrical contractor, Active Connect wascharged with designing and installing all power and data systems for the project and decided to trialMarshall-Tufflex’s MT32 modular power connection with a view to using it within future projects.

Each kit contained a pre-wired home run complete with distribution hub ready for on-site finalconnection to the distribution board and accessories. MT32 home run multi-core cables areprefabricated to suit the project specifications, which enabled quick and easy connection to pre-wiredand assembled lighting and power points within the service station.

Marshall-Tufflex 01424 856000www.marshall-tufflex.com

TIME AND COST SAVINGS FOR COUNCIL Hager’s new range of sollysta wiring accessories and consumer unitshave been specified by McGaw Electrical for the electricalrefurbishment of 2000 Edinburgh council homes.

John McGaw, managing director of McGaw Electrical, said: “Wehave found the new sollysta range of wiring accessories easier andfaster to fit than alternatives. In particular the loop in neutralconnection in the wall switch means that we don’t need to fit aseparate connector block in the back box like we do with all otherranges.

“Pushing a connector block into the back box behind the switch compresses the cables puttingextra strain on the terminations, so having a loop in neutral terminal in the accessory is farpreferable. It also means that we don’t need to retrofit deeper back boxes.”

Hager 0870 240 2400www.hager.co.uk

HAND-DRYER SCRAPPAGESCHEME Heatstore will offer a £50 scrappage allowance,for trading in any old hand dryer, or paper toweldispenser, when customers purchase theHeatstore ‘Tornado’ high speed hand dryer,which offers up to 80% energy saving againsttraditional hand dryers.

Heatstore is introducing the ‘Go Green withthe Heatstore Scrappage Scheme’ as part oftheir commitment to helping customers toimprove their energy efficiency and upgradetheir old hand dryers to the new Tornado highspeed hand dryer.

The schemeapplies to any modelof hand dryer, orpaper toweldispenser and offersa scrappageallowance of £50 onthe cost of a newTornado dryer.

Old items do nothave to be made byHeatstore. Hand dryers in a poor state of repairwould be accepted – and consumers strugglingto deliver old products to the outlets would beentitled to assistance.

Heatstore 0117 923 5375www.heatstore.co.uk

NO NEUTRAL REQUIRED DANLERS manufacture a wall mounted passiveinfra-red occupancy switch that does not requirea neutral wire (product code WAPIR). This easy tofit, automatic lighting control, complete withoverride off switch, can be a direct replacement

for a wall mountedswitch, saving oninstallation costs.

All products inDANLERS extensiverange of PIRoccupancy switchesbring the load ononly when a personis present, thus

saving on energy bills. Each model includes anadjustable photocell override, adjustable time lagbefore switch off and a relay for switching up to6 amps (1500W) of most lighting loads, includingfluorescent lighting.

All DANLERS energy saving products are UKmanufactured and come with a 5 year warranty.

DANLERS01249 443377www.danlers.co.uk

PRODUCT WATCHFIRE DETECTION FOR CHATHAMHISTORIC DOCKYARD No1 Smithery at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kentrecently underwent a £13m restoration and is now aliving museum showcasing a range of unique maritimeartefacts. Hochiki Europe’s innovative fire detectionproducts have been installed throughout the building toprotect these national treasures

The building required the installation of a BS5839 compliant category L1/P1 addressable firedetection system. An L1 system is designed for the protection of life and deploys automaticdetectors throughout all areas of the building – including roof spaces and voids. The systemalso had to be P1 complaint in order to protect the fabric of the building and summon the fireservices in the early stages of a fire.

The installation used a wide variety of Hochiki’s base sounders, sensors and call points aswell as 15 sets of beam detectors at the top of the building.

Hochiki Europe 01634 266566www.hochikieurope.com

SMOKE SENSORS WITH INTEGRALSOUNDER Nittan (UK) has launched a new analogue addressablephotoelectric smoke sensor with built in sounder.

Unlike other smoke sensorson the market which require aseparate sounder base to beinstalled which adds to thecost of the installation andtakes longer to fit, theEvolution EV-PS optical smokesensor comes with the sounderfully integrated within the

sensor itself. Extremely competitively priced, the EV-PS allowsfor quick and simple installation, saving both time and money.

But it's not only the installer that benefits from the new EV-PS, as integrating the sounder in the unit makes for a moreaesthetically pleasing appearance, with a lower profile for anunobtrusive appearance.

Even with its compact size, the EV-PS still incorporates thelatest sophisticated alarm technology for reliability andperformance, including ASIC design, EEPROM addressablecapability and low monitoring current.

Nittan 01483 769 555www.nittan.co.uk

CHECK VOLTAGE AND MOREWITH TWO-POLE TESTERS Designed to provide electrical contractors and others whowork on electrical systems with a safe and convenient wayof checking voltages, Megger’s new TPT210 and TPT220two-pole voltage testers are compact, durable andinexpensive. As a further benefit, they offer a range ofuseful additional functions, including continuity testing, RCDfunction checking, and two-pole phase sequence indication.

Although they are smaller than the average mobilephone, both testers comply with the requirements of IEC61010 for CAT IV 1000 V applications, making them suitablefor use in any location on low voltage electricalinstallations. Both also have a built-in safety feature towarn users of dangerous voltages even if the batteries inthe tester are exhausted.

Megger 01304 502100www.megger.com

NEW LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR Rittal has significantly expanded the flexibility and modularity of Ri4Power.Combining Ri4Power low-voltage switchgear with designs 1 and 2-4 to form asingle system technology, Ri4Power Form 1-4, allows switchgear manufacturers tofabricate every known form of internal subdivision from one single set of modules.

Switchgear manufacturers now have access to threebusbar systems for the different performancecategories of one single low-voltage switchgearsystem. RiLine60, as a compact busbar system withcomponent and connection adaptors, offers a solutionfor up to 1600 A for power distribution at the lowerdistribution level. Maxi-PLS provides a compact busbarsystem of 1000-4000 A that cuts installation time andFlat-PLS is a rugged busbar system for currents up to

5500 A, based on flat copper bars, meeting maximum requirements with its highshort-circuit resistance.

Rittal 01709 704000www.rittal.co.uk

UNWRAPPNG THE POTENTIAL ONENERGY SAVINGS Following the installation of T5 lighting from Riegens, TheRetail Supply Group (RSG) is living proof a simple change tofluorescent lighting can now offer a cost effective alternativeto HID luminaires for high bay applications in warehouses.

The refurbishment, financed by a Carbon Trust loan, hasallowed the company to install the new lighting quickly and efficiently, providing immediatesavings in energy and costs.

The task was to explore all the options for re-lighting the warehouse to provide a newlighting scheme that would comply with the Cibse guidelines for warehouse lighting, but at thesame time reduce energy consumption. Results of investigative work demonstrated by changingthe existing 400W metal halide lamps to Riegens HB-ECO 4 x 54W fluorescent fittings using4000K colour temperature tubes, significant savings could be achieved.

Riegens Lighting 01376 333400www.riegens-lighting.com

FAST AND SIMPLEAPPLIANCE TESTING A new PATBag test-kit concept fromSeaward enables organisations of all typesand sizes to meet their electrical safetyresponsibilities in a safe, simple andeffective manner.

Specially designed to support fast andefficient electrical safety checking andtesting routines, each PATBag comprises aneasy to operate portable appliance tester

with a test guide and training DVD alongside a log book for testresults and a supply of ready-made pass/fail labels.

The new kits include a choice of manual testers including thehandheld PrimeTest 250. The first electrical tester in its class toprovide all the electrical tests required for compliance with the IEECode of Practice for the In-Service Inspection and Testing ofElectrical Equipment, the PrimeTest 250 also has a host of otherfeatures.

Seaward Electronic 0191 586 3511www.seaward.co.uk

PRODUCT WATCH

FLEXIBLE ENGINE CONTROLLER The new M2500 engine controller will control, monitor and protect any engine – no matter if the engine is atraditional type, or an electronically controlled engine with common rail technology, which provides allreadings through a SAE CAN J1939 data link.

The new M2500 provides an intuitive user interface with graphical display and several additional LEDsshowing status and common alarms of the engine and controller. The latter enabling the user to overviewthe engine condition without going to the controller reading the display texts.

M2500 can be configured using the keys on the front of the unit, via an SD card or with a PC through aUSB connection. No additional software is needed as the configurationapplication is saved on the M2500 itself and run through a web-browser. Alternatively up- and download of configurations is possibleusing the on-board SD RAM slot.

Selco +45 70 26 11 22www.SELCO.com

REDESIGNED LUMINAIRE RISES TO THE CHALLENGE Recognising the demands encountered by designers when lighting offices and educational areas, Thorn hasmade the Elevation luminaire even more efficient and stylish than its predecessors with upgraded optics,controls and aesthetics.

The recessed modular fluorescent is enhanced by redesigned central optics, including a new micro prismdiffuser, and reshaped outer wings. The resulting light output (up to 82%) and efficiency (capable of 59luminaire-lumens/circuit-watt) exceeds current Building Regulations, while luminance limits below1,500cd/m² (louvre optic) minimise glare.

The luminaire employs 24W T5 or 55W TC-L lamps, operated fromeither fixed output or digital dimming high frequency control gear,with the options of an integral mini-sensor or LED emergency module.

Thorn Lighting 0208 732 9898www.thornlighting.co.uk

COMPACT THREE-PHASE TRANSFORMERLESS UPS Uninterruptible Power Supplies, A Kohler Company, has released the first images of the new and ultracompact PowerWAVE 5000/TP UPS System.

The PowerWAVE 5000/TP represents the next generation of efficient power protection products forUPSL and is the latest addition to the company's 3-phase modular UPS range.

The new product has been designed for low to medium density critical applications and featuresseveral new innovations including enhanced power performance and class leading energy efficiency,combined with both a small physical and carbon footprint.

Designed primarily for server rooms and data centres, thePowerWAVE 5000/TP delivers premium power protection for today'shigh-density blade servers and other power hungry hardware. Theparallelable product is available in seven different power ratings:10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50kVA, combining energy efficiency,scalable flexibility, high availability, as well as cost effective and easyserviceability.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies Ltd 0118 981 5151www.upspower.co.uk

AIR ROUTING FOR ROOF MOUNTED COOLING UNITS When using Rittal TopTherm-Plus roof mounted cooling units it is advisable to use the airduct system to ensure proper routing of the chilled air within the enclosure. It is possibleto target the cold air directly to specific areas of the enclosure and ensure chilled air isnot blowing directly at the exhaust of hot components. Using the air duct system canalso reduce the risk of “short circuits” in the air supply that can reduce cooling unitefficiency.

Never direct cold airflow straight at active components; ideally route the air directlydownwards without additional bends also additional deflections will reduce coolingcapacity. Use cover stoppers to seal outlets that are not required but at least 2 outlet

openings must remain open. Cold air must be able to escape unobstructed at the end of the duct and the air ductsystem should not be extended.

Rittal 01709 704000www.rittal.co.uk

TIME TO GO RETRO Controlling a central heating system should beeasy, both for the installer and the end-user.However, withsophisticatedfeatures being addedto new models asideas evolve, thingscan often get verycomplicated.

Siemens hasdiscovered thatcustomers prefer aproduct with a largebacklit display, but which is also easy toprogramme. They also favour slider controls toovercome programming difficulties, and choosenot to have push buttons or settings menus thatrequire interrogation.

Based on the findings of this research, Siemenshave launched a new range of time controllersconsisting of 2 programmers and 2 time switches.The RWB 1001 is a daily single channel timeswitch and the RWB 1007 a 5/2 day or full 7-dayunit, with the RWB 2001 and RWB 2007providing the same facilities but as a twinchannel option.

Siemens 01543 455000www.buildingtechnologies.siemens.com

NEW CATALOGUE FOR 2011 Field controls and peripherals expert Sontay haslaunched its new 2011 catalogue, featuring a raftof new products selected to provide outstandingperformance, improved functionality, easycommissioning and value for money.

The new catalogue showcases SonNet, Sontay’snew series of wireless temperature and humiditysensors, and new stylish (TT-1000) SpaceTemperature sensor which is designed to meet theexacting standards oftoday’s building ownersand architects.Alongside these arenew self-calibratingCO2 sensors, the newcompact terminal valvesand actuators, and thecompany's mostefficient zone and fancoil controllers to date.

Other new productshighlighted in thecatalogue include the company’s recently launchedhigh voltage zone and fan-coil controllers, a newand improved range of mechanical and ultrasonicflow sensors and integrator products, improvedterminal unit valves and actuators and revampedplug and seat valve assemblies.

Sontay 0845 345 7253www.sontay.com

PRODUCT WATCHINJECTION MOULDED STEPPER MOTORS

A range of stepper motors manufactured using injection moulding techniques has beenintroduced by Astrosyn International Technology. The method of construction makes more

space available internally, enabling the motors to bethinner while producing greater torque.

A 30% increase in efficiency is possible because thespace saving design enables the use of more windingswith lower resistance, resulting in a 27% reduction intemperature rise. The technique also allows greaterprecision in assembly, leading to significantly improvedstep angle accuracy - typically 2.5% compared with 4-5% in competitor models.

A further advantage of the design is that noise generated by vibration between thestator and the winding is eliminated since the injection moulding technique effectivelylocks the parts into a single unit.

Astrosyn International 01634 815175www.astrosyn.com

SOPHISTICATEDLIGHTING AT THETOUCH OF ABUTTON

Schneider Electric haslaunched an innovative newproduct – Sphere – that offershome and offices the desirable

prospect of sophisticated lighting at the touch of a button. Sphereprovides total flexibility, optimum convenience and a greater levelof energy efficiency, making it the ideal lighting control solution forany home or light commercial installation.

Sphere functions through a coded wireless signal that is sentfrom a controller to the wired-in circuit receiver units. Thesereceivers in turn control the light source, or other equipmentconnected to it, and can be discreetly located to ensure décor isnot compromised.

For electricians and contractors, Sphere does not require anycomplicated software for installation – it can be set up in just afew straightforward steps using the controller and receiver.

Schneider Electric 0870 608 8608www.schneider-electric.co.uk/sphere

MULTIPLIERS ANDADAPTORS

The new Multiplay Series of multipliers andadaptors are a new addition to the Lewden :Palazolli popular range of industrial plugs andsockets. Designed and built to power mobile andportable appliances for temporary use, theMultiplay Series will multiply power distribution viaindustrial plugs.

The single-block construction of the unit preventscorrosive atmospheres from penetrating the interiorof the shell, which has resulted in an IP rating ofIP67. The Multiplay Series has an operatingtemperature of between -25°C - +50°C andconforms to CEI EN 60309 and CEI 23-50.

Lewden Electrical Industries 0208 539 0237www.lewden.com

SAFE ILLUMINATION OF WIND POWER PLANTTOWERS

Wieland Electric has launched podisLED as an addition to its proven podispower bus system offering an efficient solution for the safe illumination of wind

power plant towers. For safety reasons, wind power plant towers must

be fully and safely illuminated and, in the past,fluorescent lamps with emergency light function wereused with many disadvantages, including relativelyshort maintenance intervals, a short service life and alabout intensive and time consuming installationprocess. Wieland’s podis®LED, with its high-powerLED’s, makes installation, maintenance and operation

easier and safer, whilst providing reductions in cost and time.The podis® installation solution for wind power plants consists of the uncut flat

cable power bus and various function modules (e.g. sockets and LED’s) for directplug-in.

Wieland Electric 01483 531213www.wieland-electric.com

LOAD CELLS NOW HAVE OIML APPROVAL The BM14G4 compression load cell, manufactured by ZEMIC and available exclusively in

the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, now has OIML R60 C4 accuracy class approval for legal-for-trade applications across its entire range which spans 10 to 50 tons.

Aimed at heavy industrial weighing applications on mobile construction and miningequipment, rolling stock and hoppers, the IP68 protection ratedstainless steel sensor already benefitted from OIML approvalfor its 30 to 50 ton range and now offers smaller 10 and 20 toncapacity for vehicle scales and weighing stations. The highlydurable sensor has built in surge protectors and also hasseveral other approvals including EMC and ATEX Gas and Dust.

Variohm Eurosensor 01327 351004www.variohm.com

DEDICATED BUS SYSTEM Wieland Electric has launched samos NET, a new dedicated bus

system that has been designed for use in conjunction with thecompany’s samos PRO to make theinterconnection of machines andsystems simpler.

samos PRO from Wieland Electric isa compact modular safety controllerfor machine and automation controlwith multi-functional base modulesthat are modularly interlinked,extending its safety functions moduleby module

Until now, with safety functionscontrolled by various distributed safety

controls, consistent communication has only been possible via non-safe field buses or Industrial Ethernet. The introduction of samosNET has meant that safe signals can now be safely transmitted,processed and evaluated within a machine network via the samosNET bus system.

Wieland Electric 01483 531213www.wieland-electric.com

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

Your one-stop shop for QUALITY ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

at wholesale prices!!We offer all our customers next daydelivery anywhere in the UK, freedelivery for orders over £50 and

there is no minimum order quantity. Save your money today by visiting

www.order-point.bizTel: 0844 2094361

Electrical Accessories

Recruitment

Energy Saving Products

Power Quality Management

100% dedicated to the electrical industry.Our consultants are industry trained from contracting,

wholesaling, manufacturing and sales.

WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THE TECHNICALITIES OF THE ROLES THE INDUSTRY HAS TO OFFER. FOR YOUR NEXT

PERMANENT VACANCY, GIVE US A CALL AND SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND YOUR INDUSTRY.

Visit www.electricalrecruit.co.ukAlternatively contact David Marshall TMIET MIRP.

[email protected] 0947201 • 07894 110336

DRIVE TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE via our � online directory

� weekly e-newsletter

� digital magazine

� PROVIDES a comprehensive multi-media

package of advertising your company

message to our print and online audience

Advertise in our s

upplier

directory in print and online

www.e

lectric

alrevi

ew.co

.uk

� GENERATE sales

enquiries and sales leads

via our E-response service

� BENEFIT from a continued

presence in print and online

maximising your coverage

Relays, timers, lightingcontrol and energysaving products…

FINDER plc Stone, Staffs. ST15 0SS

Tel: 01785 818100Fax: 01785 815500


For further details please contactJohn Steward

Tel: 0207 933 8974Email: [email protected]

…Finder offers all the expertise and

capability you’ll need to make the best

choice.

A leader in its field, Finder is a privately

owned company with a history of

continual reinvestment in its products

and manufacturing technology:

� Specialists in relay design and

manufacture for over 55 years

� Europe’s largest manufacturer of

relays and relay sockets

� Worldwide sales and distribution;

with local support

� Factories exclusively in Western

Europe

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

Lighting

Control Systems

Hazardous AreaPower Factor Correction

PFC Engineering LtdStation Road, Great Chesterford,SaffronWalden, Essex CB10 1NY

Total Power Quality SolutionsPower Factor Correction Design and Manufacture - LV / MVPower Factor Correction Maintenance and InstallationHarmonic Analysis and Penetration StudiesHarmonic Filtration Systems - LV / MV Design and ManufactureVoltage Disturbance and Flicker ControlComplete Analytical ServicesConsultation and Advice

Contact us for expert advice onTel: +44 (0) 1799 530728, Fax: +44 (0) 1799 530235

email: [email protected]

Power Factor Correction

Training

HIGH VOLTAGE TRAININGTo Senior Authorised / Authorised Person level

Also Competent Person, EAW Regs, Generator Operation, Ship/Marine systems, Safety awareness, HV safety for Laser/ Microwave and AGL, Maintenance, etc

MICHAEL TWITCHETTIntET(UK). IEng. FIET. MSOE. MIPlantE

Tel or Fax: 01737 352755e-mail: [email protected]

UPS

COMPLETE CONTROL IN HAZARDOUS AREAS

www.jcegroup.com

ATEX compliant solution providersPower Factor Correction

PowerLogicTM Metering Systems

Energy Meters • Load Monitoring

Power Quality Monitoring & Solutions

Harmonic Surveys To G5/4 • Harmonic Filters

UPS & Surge Protection • Thermal Imaging Surveys

Call for survey and quotation

Tel: 01773 603110 Fax 01773 603112


Website: www.varservices.co.uk

VAR Services Ltd.

27 Main Road,

Jacksdale, Nottingham,

NG16 5JU

UPSTest and measurement

innovative test technology and comprehensive customer support

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

SERVICE & CALIBRATION Seaward provides a comprehensive

calibration and repair service for a widerange of electrical and electronic equipment

� UKAS accredited calibration� Mobile ‘on-site’ service so equipment stays

on your premises� Service and calibration for most brands of

electrical/electronic equipment � Competitive pricing, repair warranty and

guaranteed workmanship

Tel: 0191 586 3511 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.seaward.co.uk

Cables AccessoriesGenerators

A.C. Voltage Stabilisers

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

� Specialists in gas measurement and detection� Manufacturer of Rapidox gas analysers� Oxygen sensing from 100% O2 to 10 e-23 PPM� SF6 condition analysers for Gas Insulated

Substations (GIS)� O2, CO, CO2, SO2 and dp (moisture) sampling

instruments for laboratory, vacuum, low-oxygen, and oxygen-critical applications

� Distributors of gas detectors for safety, industrial,welding, diving and medical applications

[email protected] Phone: +44(0)1480 462142 Fax: +44(0)1480 466032

www.cambridge-sensotec.co.uk

Automation

Cables Gas Measurement & Detection

UPS UPS

Power Systems Software

Rockwell Automation provides an

extensive portfolio of products,

including Low Voltage Control

Equipment, Variable Speed Drives, Medium Voltage Drives, Programmable

Controllers, SCADA and MES. With a focus on sustainability and life-time costs,

we also provide a range of added-value services such as Asset Management,

Condition Monitoring and On-Site Support.

Coupled with this, Rockwell Automation has a system engineering capability

combined with extensive domain experience of the manufacturing sector. In

particular Rockwell Automation has dedicated resources assigned to Rail, Water

and Energy industries within the UK market.

Tel: 0870 242 5004

Fax: 01908 261917


Web: www.rockwellautomation.co.uk

� Specialists in gas measurement and detection� Manufacturer of Rapidox gas analysers� Oxygen sensing from 100% O2 to 10 e-23 PPM� SF6 condition analysers for Gas Insulated Substations (GIS)� O2, CO, CO2, SO2 and dp (moisture) sampling instruments for

laboratory, vacuum, low-oxygen, and oxygen-critical applications� Distributors of gas detectors for safety, industrial, welding, diving

and medical applications

[email protected] Phone: +44(0)1480 462142 Fax: +44(0)1480 466032

www.cambridge-sensotec.co.uk

Tel: 01282 833950 Fax: 01282 833955

Email: [email protected] Web: www.concordiacables.com

Try our FREE site survey to find outhow we can help you select theright UPS and power protection systemsfor your applications.

Full on-site commissioning and installation offer with 24-7 technical support.Remove the risk – talk to Critical Power Specialists and protect your systemsfrom power failures.

• UPS and generators from 300VA to 800 kVA• Third Party UPS HealthChecks• DC solutions including inverters• Nationwide UK service network• Guaranteed 4 clock hour

support• Replacement battery service

Our portfolio includes� industrial cables,� special cables,� electronic cables and cable accessories

Our service includes� distribution to both UK and International customers.� optimum quality and service� on time delivery, realistic batch quantities � exactness of manufacturing tolerances expected as standard.

Established since 1902Concordia Cables is a

leading supplier ofelectrical cables with a

highly regardedreputation for

understanding andmeeting customers

cabling needs

Gas Measurement and

Design and consultation services in allaspects of backup power system design.We supply a full range of fully integrated,innovative Complete Power Solutions

� Design and Consultation� UPS & Standby Generating Systems & System Upgrades� Battery Systems including Installation, Commissioning & Replacement� Attenuation & Exhaust Systems� Bulk Fuel Systems� Control Systems� Full Turnkey Solutions� Containerised & Temporary UPS & Generator Systems

Services include:LV & MV Switchgear • Cooling Systems Rack Systems • Fire Protection • DC SystemsSCADA & Remote Monitoring • VirtualEngineering (PEARL) • Service, Maintenance& Support • Site Surveys • BuildingConstruction & Fit-Out

E-TEC Power Management LtdTel: +44 (0)1252 744 800Fax: +44 (0)1252 744 [email protected]

Tel: 0845 519 3638Email: [email protected]

www.criticalpowersupplies.co.uk

BLOWN FUSE

IT SEEMS OUR POLITICIANS CAN DO NO RIGHT AS FAR AS OURGRUMPY OLD MAN IS CONCERNED. THE LAUNCH OF THE

ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUBSIDY IN JANUARY HAS ONLY SERVED TO FUEL HIS IRE

SOMETIMES our legislators make me laugh, albeitusually before I burst into tears. This time it’s yetanother environmental initiative. On 1 January 2011,the Department for Transport introduced individualgrants of £5,000 to purchase electric vehicles. This ispart of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles’ £400mfund to reduce emissions from road transport.

Now, I hear you mutter, who could fail to supportthat? The short answer is the rest of the British Islesin so far as there are way too few charging points tomake said electric vehicles viable.

This of course is a case of the proverbial chickenand egg, but I see no incentive for fuel retailers toinvest in charging points and hence, little actualinducement for us all to rush out and buysubsidised electric vehicles. I know the idea is toget as many electric cars on the road as possibleand hence create a demand that subsequentlypower suppliers would react to. However, how

many of our current30

million cars in the UK would have to be displacedto create that demand? Think how many dieselvehicles are now on the road and consider that inmost filling stations petrol pumps outnumber thediesel ones by 3:1.

OK, so let’s ignore the technical aspects ofinstalling charging points, as I’m sure thegovernment has, and the difficulties of providingrapid charging. There remain many factors to inhibitthe rapid uptake of electric cars – all of whichrequire huge investment in both equipment and newtechnology.

Starting with the vehicle itself, it remains generallyaccepted lithium ion batteries are the most likelysolution to providing range for the cars. But, it is stillthe case that a suitably sized battery would weigh100kg and cost as much as a medium sized caritself!

Now think about charging times. Presently, atypical family car takes about eight hours to fullycharge from existing charging points installed athome. With the best will in the world, how is thatgoing to work on the streets?

Now consider how the power supplied will bepaid for. Yes, the amount of power drawn

down can be metered and a price per unitapplied, but who collects the cash

and how? I see this as a majorcost factor in the equation,since its not just thecollection of money, butthe management of thetransactions also.

We arrive at the greatestproblem of all at this stage.

How will the already creakingNational Grid cope with demand?

Let’s imagine in our wildest dreams

that a third of the populace rush out and buy shinynew electric cars. Let’s also in our fairytale worldimagine there are charging points on every streetcorner. Now let’s think about Madonna in concert atWembley Stadium, or Manchester United playingManchester City in the FA Cup. Say, 10,000 peopleturn up in their electric cars all expecting to plug inand charge up while at the event. Get the picture?Meltdown!

Regular readers will know my stance on energyconservation. Even if we don’t believe all the hypeand rhetoric spewed from the mouths of our politicalcohort, it has to be a good thing to reduceconsumption and create energy as responsibly aspossible.

The thing that irks me is the fact politicians dasharound like headless chickens pecking at anythingthat might look plausible or win a vote. Perhapsinstead we should put the egg first, take a fewembryonic ideas and nurture them from birth in acalm, intelligent and measured manner.

CHICKENS, EGGS AND ELECTRIC CARS

John Houston can be contacted on 01797 364366or by e-mail at [email protected]


Documents

01-02.2011.pdf