G2 Screwless: A cost-effective upgrade

The Hartland G2 Screwless range represents a significant advancement in design and functionality, offering a seamless alternative to the popular Hartland box fix. With its slim and elegant profile, this product line is perfect for customers seeking a sophisticated finish without the complexity of traditional installations. The Hartland G2 features a push-to-fit faceplate, enabling a quick and easy installation process that reduces time on site - a key selling point for contractors and installers. The G2 Screwless range comes in 12 on-trend finishes, ensuring a match for any interior style, whether contemporary or classic. Available with White, Black, or Quartz Grey inserts, this range provides the flexibility to suit various design preferences. Embracing the future: Type C integration With the rapid shift towards USB Type C as the standard for charging and data transfer, it's clear that the market is evolving, and your product offerings need to keep pace. Consumers are increasingly demanding Type C USB sockets for their homes and businesses, making it crucial for wholesalers to stock products that cater to this growing trend. Here’s why the Hartland G2 and Sheer G2 ranges are perfect for meeting this demand. Both G2 Screwless ranges are equipped with ultra-fast Dual USB charging ports. For those hungry for the most powerful charging, Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge (QC) are two popular fast-charging technologies designed to reduce the time it takes to charge devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. This feature addresses the increasing demand for convenient charging solutions in homes and offices, adding value for end-users and a compelling selling point for wholesalers. For projects requiring more specialised configurations, the G2 Screwless range also includes Grid and EuroFix options, offering a comprehensive solution for any installation requirement. Sheer G2: Modern design meets affordability  The Sheer G2 range redefines the aesthetics of modern electrical installations. With its flat square edge plate, Sheer G2 delivers a clean, minimalist look that appeals to contemporary design trends. Available from stock, the Sheer G2 range ensures that wholesalers can meet customer demand with minimal lead times - a crucial factor in maintaining client satisfaction and repeat business. Sheer G2 is built to the same exact standards that Hamilton is known for, but at a price point that makes it accessible to a wider market. This range includes White, Black, or Quartz Grey insert options, allowing customers to create a cohesive look in any space. The metal-capped rockers, standard across the range (excluding painted plates), add a touch of durability and sophistication, making Sheer G2 a standout choice for high-traffic areas. Conclusion Both the Hartland G2 Screwless and Sheer G2 ranges offer wholesalers a robust portfolio of products that combine cutting-edge design with practicality and affordability. These lines are perfectly positioned to help wholesalers meet the diverse needs of their customers, from residential clients seeking stylish upgrades to commercial projects requiring reliable and quick-to-install solutions. By stocking these ranges, wholesalers can offer their customers top-tier Hamilton quality at competitive prices. Fore more from Hamilton, click here.

ECA highlights skills gap with Minister for Industry

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) recently convened with Labour MPs and Government Ministers for a roundtable discussion hosted at Portcullis House in London. The event, sponsored by Chi Onwurah MP, focused on addressing the critical shortage of qualified electricians needed to meet the UK’s net zero ambitions. The discussion was attended by Sarah Jones, Minister of State for Industry, DBT and DESNZ, as well as Frank Bowley, Head of the Unit for Future Skills at Skills England, along with Labour MPs whose constituencies are experiencing a severe shortfall in electrical apprenticeships and skilled workers. Jane Dawson, Head of External Affairs, says, “If we are to achieve meaningful change in the system, we must continue to have dialogue with policymakers, education providers and the wider industry. There is a huge opportunity for our industry as the country electrifies at an increasing pace. Our sector is key to the government's mission for economic growth and net zero, while providing lots of well-paid jobs." ECA’s Electrical Skills Index was a key focus of the discussion. This dataset offers a detailed analysis of the disparity between the number of individuals enrolling in classroom-based electrical courses and those entering into apprenticeships. The Index reveals that while over 20,000 individuals enrol in classroom-based training each year, fewer than 10% make the transition into apprenticeships – which is a necessary step to get the hands-on experience required. The other 90% are unable to get a foothold in an industry that desperately needs more electricians. The Electrical Skills Index identifies constituencies across England where the shortage of qualified electricians is particularly acute, including constituencies represented by several of the MPs in attendance. This shortage poses a major challenge for the Labour Government’s mission-led agenda, from building 1.5 million new homes, to becoming a clean energy superpower. The roundtable provided an opportunity for Labour MPs to discuss the local challenges their constituencies face and explore policy solutions to increase the number of apprenticeships. ECA’s Charter to #RechargeElectricalSkills was presented as a roadmap for addressing the crisis. The Charter advocates for: - Placing qualified electricians at the heart of net zero: Ensuring skilled electricians lead the deployment of low-carbon technologies, such a heat pumps and EV chargers. - Increasing the number of qualified electricians: Expanding educational and training pathways to boost the number of certified professionals. - Establishing a stronger skills pipeline: Building clearer transitions from education to employment, with enhanced apprenticeships and industry partnerships. The roundtable underscored the urgent need for collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions to address the growing net zero skills gap. With the Labour Government’s ambitious goals in clean energy and infrastructure development, the skills crisis is becoming a major barrier to success. ECA says that it remains committed to working closely with policymakers to ensure that the UK's electrical workforce is equipped to meet the demands of the future and to realise the UK’s net zero ambitions. For more from ECA, click here.

Ovia adds Pin Spot DALI to emergency lighting range

The latest addition to Ovia’s lighting product portfolio is the new Pin Spot DALI – a range of LED DALI emergency conversion modules with self-test that can be integrated into any DALI addressable install. Suitable for a vast range of applications, the DALI self-test non-maintained Pin Spot emergency luminaire is available in a Corridor Lens option, which features a 155 lumen output, and also in an Open Area Lens option, with a lumen output of 188. The self-test function offers installers the option to monitor the emergency system remotely, removing the need for manual function and duration tests. As the luminaires are DALI addressable, the system can quickly detect and manage any faults, providing notifications when a failure occurs, thus eliminating the need for visual inspections. Other features include: • Intelligent, automatic self-test scheduling for non-DALI applications • Integral status/identification sounder with user-override • Built-in charge indicator LED and ‘push to test’ switch on the lamp head • Incorporates a high temperature LiFePO4 battery as standard • Emergency spacing (2.5m ceiling): 8m open area / 19m escape route The new Pin Spot DALI self-test luminaire comes with a five-year warranty. For more from Ovia, click here.

Travis Perkins sponsors new decarbonisation centre

Travis Perkins Managed Services, which operates at the heart of UK social housing, has announced its sponsorship of the ground-breaking Tŷ Gwyrddfai decarbonisation hub, the first facility of its kind in the UK. The centre will provide skills training for decarbonisation and retrofitting homes. The 120,000 square foot warehouse space, which is situated in a semi-rural area of Gwynedd, has been transformed into a training facility for demonstrating, installing and maintaining products and materials associated with retrofitting homes. The centre is a collaboration between Travis Perkins Managed Services, Adra Housing Association, the Busnes@LlandrilloMenai and Bangor University. The decarbonisation hub will support the development of skills to install and maintain small solar photovoltaic, domestic heat pump and solar thermal hot water systems. There will also be a dedicated Travis Perkins branch on site to provide Adra and its contractors with materials and supplies. Ben Todd, Managing Director of Travis Perkins Managed Services, says, “We are so proud to be collaborating with our customer and partners to bring this decarbonisation hub to Penygroes. The hub will provide a centre of excellence for the future development of low carbon solutions across retrofitting, repairs and maintenance. “We believe that construction has a key role to play in decarbonising the built environment, which is why supplying our customers with the right materials, innovative solutions and technology, supporting their journey to net zero. The long-term benefits will be far reaching and will help decarbonise homes in north Wales and beyond.” Sian Lloyd, a Welsh television presenter and meteorologist who was present at the ground-breaking, notes, “I’m passionate about sustainability and to see this centre, the first of its kind, launch in north Wales makes me so proud. This sector has a great opportunity to offer low carbon solutions to retrofitting and repairing the UK’s old housing stock. This can be a major part of the solution to decarbonising the built environment.” Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra Housing Association, comments, "We are delighted to be part of this transformative partnership with Travis Perkins Managed Services. This collaboration is essential for providing Adra and its contractors with the vital materials and supplies needed to undertake the ambitious retrofit work in north Wales, and in advancing our broader goals of environmental sustainability.” For more from Travis Perkins, click here.

Click Scolmore expands Aquip range

Click Scolmore has expanded its Aquip range of weatherproof switches and socket enclosures with the introduction of the new one-gang 13A Switched Fused Connection Unit (FCU) equipped with LED indicators. Whether its for powering outdoor lighting, garden equipment, or appliances, Scolmore states that the new 13A Switched FCU will deliver superior protection and functionality and will ensure safety and peace of mind. Key features of the new Aquip unit include: • Weatherproof design - built to withstand the elements, ensuring safe outdoor and indoor use. • 13A Switched FCU - providing secure and controlled power distribution with built-in safety features. • LED indication – easy monitoring of the power status at a glance, thanks to the bright LED indicator. • Durable and reliable - crafted for long-lasting performance, making it ideal for both residential and commercial applications. • Available with the standard anthracite grey lid, or a semi-transparent lid for enhanced visibility when the lid is closed. The full Aquip66 brochure can be viewed on the Scolmore Group website, as well as on the Scolmore Group app. For more from Scolmore, click here.

Balfour Beatty awarded network reinforcement contract

Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has been awarded a £363 million contract by National Grid to deliver the Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement project. The contract has been awarded through National Grid’s RIIO-2 framework. On completion, the project will reinforce the electricity network in East Anglia and ensure that it can continue to reliably and securely transport the cleaner, greener electricity required for the UK’s transition to net zero. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the replacement of the existing high voltage electricity network between Bramford Substation in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee in Essex, with a new 400 kilovolt overhead line spanning 18 kilometers. In addition, the company will also deliver 11 kilometres of underground cable through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Stour Valley. The company will work closely with ecologists and conservationists throughout to mitigate any disruption to local wildlife and has committed to delivering a 10% biodiversity net gain over the project lifecycle. Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, says, “This award demonstrates the momentum we are capturing in the energy security and transition market. As the largest power transmission provider in the UK, we have a long and proud history of working with National Grid. This latest award will once again enable our expert teams to deploy their proven capability to successfully deliver overhead lines and underground cabling works in complex and challenging landscapes.” Main construction is expected to commence in the first half of 2025 with completion expected in 2028. At peak construction, Balfour Beatty will employ over 200 people including 10 apprenticeship and graduate positions as part of the company’s commitment to The 5% Club. For more from Balfour Beatty, click here.

WMC calls for new fire-resistant cable standard

Wrexham Mineral Cables (WMC), a UK cable manufacturer, is calling for the establishment of a new fire-resistant cable standard to improve building safety and potentially save lives. WMC’s call to action comes as the industry reflects on the 1,700 page Grenfell Inquiry report, which sets out how "decades of failure" across government and the construction sector led to Grenfell Tower becoming a site of tragic loss of life. The report makes 58 recommendations, including the establishment of a new construction regulator responsible for developing suitable methods for testing fire resistance in materials and products used in construction. WMC says the industry reform must include a new standard that enables architects and specifiers to identify true fire survival cables, which are proven to perform to safety standards in real-world scenarios. The company warns the current regulatory framework allows for inferior cables to be used in safety-critical applications, putting lives and property at risk. Currently, specifiers are presented with a choice between polymeric ‘soft skin’ cables and mineral insulated copper clad (MICC) cables. Due to the existing testing regime, both cable types are classed as fire-resistant, creating a misleading impression of equivalence. However, MICC cables have consistently demonstrated superior performance and are proven to perform to measurably higher safety standards in 'real fire’ scenarios. Colin Hughes, Group Manager at WMC, explains, “Fire-resistant cables are integral to maintaining a building’s critical electrical systems during a fire. For example, emergency lighting, sprinkler systems, emergency generators, smoke dampers and shutters, and fire alarms. If these systems fail, the consequences can be catastrophic. “Current testing standards create an unclear picture of cable performance; they treat polymeric and MICC cables as equivalent, despite their vastly different fire-survival capabilities. It’s all too easy for manufacturers to claim that products meet a required standard, even though the test methods themselves are not representative of ‘true fire’ scenarios. “As the Grenfell report has made clear, everyone involved in construction is responsible for keeping people safe. However, architects and specifiers must be equipped to make informed choices. We need a new standard that allows specifiers to identify true fire survival cables - and potentially help save lives.” WMC has long advocated for stricter testing standards and better fire-resistant cable specifications. In 2023, WMC published a white paper outlining how cables directly impact building safety. The paper advocates for the introduction of a higher classification of fire survival cable, which can continue to power critical circuits in the event of a fire. Colin adds, “Last year, the UK Government introduced stricter building regulations in England as part of new secondary legislation to implement the Building Safety Act. Unfortunately, recent events in London, such as fires at a residential block in Dagenham and at the historic Somerset House, serve as reminders that buildings of all types remain at a high risk of fire. “This is why we continue to call on the government and industry to take action and improve building safety with the introduction of a new standard that subjects all fire-resistant cables, regardless of size or construction, to true fire scenario tests.” To download WMC’s white paper, Expecting the unexpected: specifying safety-critical circuit cables for fire survival, click here. For more from Wrexham Mineral Cables, click here.

Two SPARKS competitions return for 2025

The SPARKS Learner of the Year and SPARKS Female Skills competitions are back for 2025, the former marking its 15th year of celebrating the brightest young talent in the electrical industry. The SPARKS Learner of the Year competition offers apprentice and student electricians an opportunity to showcase their skills, build confidence and win fantastic prizes to support them at the very start of their careers. Level 2 and 3 students from across England and Wales will compete in six regional heats throughout January and February. The winners of each regional heat will then compete in the Grand Final, which will be held in April 2025. Building on the success of its first two years, the SPARKS Female Skills Competition is also returning in 2025, with even more excitement and opportunities for emerging industry professionals. In February and March 2025, SPARKS will travel across three regions nationwide, seeking the best up-and-coming professionals in the electrical industry. Level 2 and 3 learners from colleges across the country will compete in a live, practical installation test. Each regional winner and runner-up will then advance to the Grand Final, where they will compete for this prestigious award. The Meet the Manufacturer series will run alongside both competitions, offering manufacturers an opportunity to network with and update lecturers on the latest industry and product innovations. The deadline for entries for both competitions is 29 November 2024. For more information or to enter the competition, visit www.sparks-magazine.co.uk/learner-of-the-year or www.sparks-magazine.co.uk/female-skills-competition/.

EV giants launch ‘Electric Vehicles UK’

Octopus Electric Vehicles and the Fully Charged Show have teamed up to launch ‘Electric Vehicles UK’, a new organisation designed to educate consumers about EVs. Speaking at the launch event at Octopus HQ in London, Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy Group, urged the industry to help drivers discover the very clear advantages of EVs. More than 120 senior professionals from across the UK's EV, renewables and green tech sectors attended the event, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to better educate those looking to switch to electric cars. Electric Vehicles UK will be spearheaded by Interim CEO Dan Caesar for the first year, after which a full-time CEO will be appointed. Sales of pure EVs have plateaued as a percentage of new sales in the UK over the last 12 months, as government messaging and a rise of online misinformation has caused drivers to hesitate in making the switch. However, satisfaction among EV drivers remains high, with new research from Octopus showing that 96% of EV owners plan to buy another electric car. Furthermore, almost half of non-EV drivers would like their next car to be electric and are looking for trusted information and experts to help them make the switch. Dan says, "Electric vehicles have become something of a lightning rod for headline writers, guaranteeing as they do, a significant number of hits. Through multiple surveys on the subject, we know that nine out of 10 battery EV drivers won't go back to combustion engine vehicles.  “Meanwhile, almost 50% of ICE drivers are considering switching to electric, so there's a clear disconnect between the headlines and lived experience. By uniting under the Electric Vehicles UK brand we believe we can be much more effective in communicating information and factual evidence of the good, and the bad, aspects of EV ownership." Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, says, "As the UK’s largest electric-only leasing company, we see first-hand how much drivers love these cars. They’re cheaper to run, packed with the latest tech and great fun to drive. But we know that misinformation, or a lack of clarity at least, is holding some potential buyers back. We are proud to be the lead partner for Electric Vehicles UK, and to enable the industry to better communicate the benefits of electric car ownership." 

EIC seeks volunteers to become charity Ambassadors

The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) is looking for volunteers to help raise awareness. The EIC’s mission is to provide the best outcome for every person in the industry who needs the charity's help. EIC's aim is to ensure that the whole industry knows the support available to them. In these challenging times, the charity believes there are more people suffering in silence than ever. Volunteering as an EIC Ambassador offers personal fulfilment while supporting colleagues in need. It is an opportunity to connect with industry peers, enhance your professional development, and make a meaningful impact in the community. What is the EIC Ambassador Programme? The EIC is here to lend a helping hand to anyone facing life’s challenges who works in the electrical or energy industry. The charity is looking for a minimum of two people per company and hopes to get 20 Ambassadors. What does an EIC Ambassador do? EIC Ambassadors raise awareness of the EIC. They will support the charity in various areas, such as inspiring more people to fundraise, getting more people signed up for the powerLottery and encouraging companies to choose EIC as their ‘Charity of the Year’. What do EIC Ambassadors commit to? Ambassadors will commit as much time as they can to the role. In return, they will receive knowledge of the EIC’s vital work, resources, monthly newsletters and quarterly catch-up’s with the EIC team. EIC Ambassadors will be a community and will have access to a WhatsApp group where they can swap ideas and chat to fellow Ambassadors. What’s in it for you? EIC volunteers say that they get at sense of personal achievement by helping their industry's charity and, in turn, their colleagues and peers. Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet new people across the industry, enhance professional development and last but by no means least, will be helping give colleagues in need a helping hand. Find out more and apply here. Fore more from the EIC, click here.