Waterlip Electrical Contracting cuts admin workload with Fergus

From its beginnings in a garden shed, Waterlip Electrical Contracting (WEC) has grown into a family-run business with 13 staff delivering commercial, industrial, and domestic electrical work. Founder Connor started the company six years ago, building the team around trusted family and friends. As the business grew, so did the paperwork, and the old systems quickly became unsustainable. "We were keeping up with the work, but we were just filling up our office with filing cabinets. Everything was on paper: testing, job sheets, materials. It became a nightmare to manage," Connor says. To address the challenge, WEC adopted Fergus, a job management software platform for the trades sector, which has reportedly halved its administrative workload. Moving away from paper-based systems Before implementing Fergus, WEC handled everything manually. Job details were typed up in the office, printed for the team, and returned at the end of the week in stacks of handwritten sheets. These were then re-entered into Excel for costing, checked against supplier pricing, marked up, and finally input into accounting software for invoicing. "We had someone in the office all week just copying up paperwork. Then we’d print it out again if we needed it. It was just a massive time waste," Connor explains. This approach became harder to manage as the workforce expanded and job volumes increased. "It’s been really hard trying to grow the business when you’re relying on spreadsheets and paperwork. There was no easy way to manage everything in one place," he adds. Time savings and efficiency gains Since adopting Fergus, the company says it has streamlined operations and freed up staff time. "Now the lads get to site and everything they need is on their phones. Job sheets, materials, notes - it’s all there. And they’re filling it in properly every time, which never used to happen," Connor reports. He estimates that automating job sheets alone has saved four days of administrative time each week. One employee has returned to site work, while another has been able to focus on higher-value office tasks. "I can invoice a customer before the lads have even left [the] site," continues Connor. "That used to take hours, now it takes minutes. "Also, the lads would take photos on their phones and we’d spend hours uploading everything to Dropbox. Now they use the Fergus app and it’s instantly in the system, even if we’re 150 miles away." Having all information in one place has allowed Connor to dedicate more time to developing the business, he claims. Results for WEC By moving away from paper-based processes and adopting Fergus, WEC has reportedly: • Freed up around four days of administrative time each week • Reduced manual data entry and duplicated work • Improved visibility across all jobs • Accelerated invoicing and improved cash flow • Given the team more time to focus on customers and growth "It’s completely changed everything we do. Fergus has saved us so much time and stress," Connor says. For more from Fergus, click here.

CU Phosco joins DarkSky to promote responsible lighting

CU Phosco, a UK exterior lighting manufacturer, has joined DarkSky UK as a Sustaining Member to support efforts to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky. As part of the partnership, CU Phosco will take part in the DarkSky UK Conference 2025, Good Lighting: From Pollution to Solution, at Newcastle University on 9 September 2025. The company will exhibit at the event and engage with lighting professionals, designers, research organisations, and policymakers to encourage wider adoption of dark sky-compliant lighting. The conference is supported by organisations including the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP), the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), and Dark Sky Discovery. It aims to strengthen links between research, policy, and practice, and to promote compliant lighting as standard across the industry. Matt Murray, Sales Director at CU Phosco, comments, "We’re very pleased to be supporting DarkSky UK and the important work they do to promote responsible, evidence-based lighting. "As a UK manufacturer with several dark sky accredited products in our range, we’re committed to reducing light pollution and working collaboratively to improve the night-time environment. "Supporting this initiative is a natural step for us and we look forward to sharing knowledge and engaging with partners across industry, design, and conservation at the 2025 conference." CU Phosco and dark sky lighting From street lighting to high-mast and architectural projects, CU Phosco says it continues to develop luminaires that minimise upward light output. Many of its products are already certified under the DarkSky Approved scheme. For more from CU Phosco, click here.

"Why your business must adapt to a decentralised world"

By David Martini, Managing Director of CleanTech Wholesale The world is changing. Our industry is shifting. For hard proof, just look at these numbers this year. The UK saw a record 170,000 solar installations in the first half of 2025. Home battery storage installs reached 20,000. Only the businesses that understand the true meaning of these changes are the ones that are seizing the opportunity in front of them and winning. So what is holding so many businesses back? Well, for too long, the energy sector has operated on an outdated model of central control. This old way is governed by complexity and friction. And it’s created a system that burdens installers with administrative tasks and inefficient supply chains. The result is a clear disconnect between the incredible promise of clean energy and the frustrating reality of bringing it to life. But a fundamental paradigm shift is underway. And it’s being driven by a convergence of three decentralising forces. For installers to succeed, they must understand that these forces are the very foundation of the industry's future. These three pillars give you a new way to win 1. Decentralised Energy = More Margin The most visible pillar is the shift from large, centralised power plants to distributed, renewable energy sources. With home battery installs skyrocketing and EV infrastructure growing 27% year-on-year, customers now want integrated solutions. Professionals who empower individuals by offering solar, storage, and EV charging as a single system will win more jobs and generate higher margins. 2. Decentralised Systems = Less Friction This is the move from central, human-led processes to intelligent, automated networks. AI and machine learning enable automated logistics, smart project management, and frictionless processes that remove resistance from the system. This means businesses can streamline processes to spend less time doing paperwork and admin tasks. 3. Decentralised Money = Faster Closes Digital currencies are challenging traditional finance. For installers, this translates into faster-closed deals. Mix that with the ability to empower customers with the zero-VAT policy on installs until 2027 and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) to strengthen their ROI, and you’re presenting a financial no-brainer. Five moves you need to make this quarter But this strategic shift only benefits the businesses that seize the opportunity now. Here’s how you can do it today: 1. Design bundled offers Create standard, pre-priced specs for common jobs, like a 4-6kWp PV plus a 5-10kWh battery for terraced houses. This shortens surveys, simplifies quoting, and raises your conversion rate. The growing market demand needs this. 2. Quote with financial clarity Make a zero-VAT line item and a SEG illustration a standard part of every proposal. You can even include the supplier’s SEG link as proof. This builds customer trust and speeds up their sign-off process. 3. Get 'connection-ready' For larger commercial jobs, you need to act fast. That means preparing planning documents and site studies early so you’re rewarded by the grid's new 'first-ready' queue management rules. 4. Design 'EV-ready' as default Even if you’re not installing the charger today, show your customers that you’re forward-thinking. Specify spare capacity, CT clamps for load balancing, a labelled isolator, and containment to the parking spot. Private installs will follow the public EV infrastructure growth. 5. Sell the outcome, not the kit Frame your proposals around the benefits of bill stability, energy independence, and resilience. This resonates with customers and helps you close the deal faster. Those five moves solidify your place as a winning business in these changing times. But there’s one final ingredient that makes all the difference. A distribution partner today must embrace the three pillars and build their operations around them. It must use technology to remove complexity, not to create it. Our business, now known as CleanTech Wholesale, has aligned itself with this vision to become a partner that gives you a new way to win. We are a business that believes in speed, simplicity, and sovereignty. We are not just talking about the future. We are building it. In this new era, true foresight is understanding that the future of the energy industry is built not on fighting the old way, but on building a smarter one.

Octopus Energy and LG partner on heat pumps

Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, has announced a partnership with South Korean electronics manufacturer LG Electronics to expand the use of heat pumps and air conditioning systems across Europe. The agreement will see LG’s heating and cooling technology integrated with Octopus’s Kraken platform, which can automatically run devices when energy is cheapest and has a low carbon footprint. The companies say this will help households reduce energy costs and cut reliance on fossil fuels. Heat pumps and climate targets Heating is responsible for around 20% of Europe’s carbon emissions. Governments are promoting heat pumps as a replacement for gas boilers, with the UK aiming for 600,000 installations per year by 2028. Octopus Energy is one of Europe’s largest heat pump installers and has invested more than £50 million in factories, training centres, and research and development. The partnership will launch in the UK and Germany before expanding into other European markets. Over time, it will also cover a wider range of household appliances. Industry comments “Heat pumps are the lynchpin of clean, affordable heating, and LG makes some of the best on the market,” says Greg Jackson, founder and CEO of Octopus Energy. “By plugging them and their air conditioning units into our Kraken tech, we can make them even cheaper to run, giving households an easy way to cut their bills while helping the planet.” Thomas Yoon, President of LG’s Overseas Sales & Marketing Company, adds, “This partnership with Octopus Energy Group represents a significant milestone in our European growth strategy. "We will continue to explore new opportunities that create differentiated customer value and secure sustainable growth drivers in the global market.” For more from Octopus Energy, click here.

ITCAB improves efficiency with Fluke's tools

French cabling company ITCAB has reported time savings on large-scale projects through the use of network certification and troubleshooting tools manufacturer Fluke Networks’ testing and certification equipment. Founded in 2022, ITCAB designs and installs low-voltage cabling - including copper and fibre optic systems - across sectors such as defence, healthcare, data centres, and logistics. With installations subject to strict regulatory standards, the company requires tools that ensure compliance, precision, and durability from the outset. Tools in use To support its work, ITCAB uses four Fluke Networks devices: • DSX-5000 CableAnalyzer — for testing RJ45 twisted pair infrastructures, allowing technicians to carry out field measurements and identify potential compliance issues early • OptiFiber Pro reflectometer — for fibre optic networks, offering automated configuration, expert mode, and detailed event mapping • CertiFiber Pro photometer — for certifying fibre optic networks across data centres, LANs, WANs, and telecom systems • MultiFiber Pro — for high-density fibre optic trunk infrastructures with MTP connectors The company also uses LinkWare reporting software to manage diagnostic data, carry out searches, and generate reports for both technical teams and customers. Time savings reported Using this equipment, ITCAB estimates an average saving of 15–30 seconds per test. On projects requiring up to 10,000 tests, this equates to around 10 days of technician time saved. “It’s extremely efficient," says Corentin Cunat, founder and Co-CEO of ITCAB. "Being able to make the right decisions at the right time can really speed up our work. “If we had chosen other products, we would have had many more tasks to manage, which would have slowed down the whole process and increased costs.” Nigel Hedges, Application and Technical Specialist at Fluke Networks, adds, “With rising demand for bandwidth and the constant evolution of technology, efficient testing, certification, and troubleshooting tools have a measurable impact on productivity and customer trust. "Our equipment provides visibility across copper, fibre, and active networks, helping teams streamline workflows and simplify compliance.” ITCAB says it plans to expand its testing fleet to meet increasing customer demand and to maintain compliance with evolving industry regulations. For more from Fluke Networks, click here.

Milwaukee launches new compact drilling tools

Milwaukee, a US manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools and accessories, has expanded its compact drilling and driving range with the launch of three new brushless tools: a percussion drill, a drill driver, and an impact driver. The new models are smaller and lighter than previous versions, designed to boost productivity for professionals working in tight or overhead spaces. Target users include HVAC engineers, MRO technicians, service trades, and carpenters. Compact size, higher performance The brushless motors reportedly deliver faster application speeds and higher torque compared with brushed models, allowing users to complete common drilling and fastening tasks more quickly. • Drill driver – 137mm length, 40Nm torque • Percussion drill – 142mm length, 40Nm torque • Impact driver – 109mm length, 124Nm torque According to the company, all three tools are engineered for a strong power-to-size ratio, making them suitable for demanding tasks in confined environments. Part of the M12 system The new tools are compatible with the Milwaukee M12 battery platform. The system is designed to allow professionals to work a full day on a single battery system, with a focus on durability and trade-specific performance. Milwaukee says the launch underlines its commitment to improving job-site productivity by providing compact, high-performance tools tailored to professional needs. For more from Milwaukee, click here.

Rolec, Connekt secure funding to expand UK EV charging

Rolec, a UK manufacturer of EV charging points, and Connekt, a commercial EV charging installer, have announced plans to accelerate deployment of destination electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the UK, backed by multi-million-pound funding from the GF1 Growth Fund. The companies say the partnership is aimed at addressing one of the most underserved parts of the UK EV market. Of an estimated 70,000 potential sites for destination charging, fewer than 1% currently have charge points installed. Partnership approach Connekt, a Scotland-based EV charging funder, will provide financial support and site assessments, while Rolec will deliver UK-manufactured charging hardware and manage installation through its network of installers. The partnership is targeting locations such as hotels, universities, marinas, and leisure sites. Johnny Manning, founder of Connekt, says, “At Connekt, we see a real synergy with Rolec. Over the past three to four years, we’ve been on an incredible journey building the foundations of a leading charge point operator. "Rolec has been on a parallel journey, and they’ve emerged as one of the true market leaders in the EV charging industry. "Together, we’re bringing something unique to the market with our funded solutions, giving Rolec clients an opportunity to unlock EV charging infrastructure in a way that is both commercially viable and future-proof.” Darren North, National Sales Manager at Rolec, adds, “We are thrilled to be partnering with such a forward-thinking company to take on a major rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure across the UK. "By working closely with the Connekt team, we will be able to bring our combined expertise to a sector with immense potential.” Early progress The companies say installations are already under way, with several charging networks deployed and more sites scheduled for rollout in the coming year. For more from Rolec, click here.

Kew, Schneider establish partnership of sustainability

Schneider Electric, a company concerned with the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced a partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew. As Kew’s official Energy Sustainability Partner, Schneider Electric will play a core role in helping the world-famous botanic gardens meet its goal to become climate positive by 2030. As a UNESCO World Heritage site with a sizeable footprint, Grade 1 and 2 listed buildings, and high visitor numbers, Kew Gardens faces unique challenges in achieving its sustainability plans and targets. The partnership will see Schneider Electric take a hands-on role, advising Kew on how to develop and deliver its sustainability plan – which includes transitioning away from fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions, and optimising energy use across its historic and complex estate at both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden based in Sussex. As part of the agreement, Schneider Electric will provide a dedicated energy optimisation engineer, located onsite and on long-term secondment to Kew, helping to: · Support Kew in evaluating the impact, cost, and priority of energy efficiency, controls, and monitoring projects · Identify, assess, and implement energy-saving opportunities within Kew’s Building Management Systems (BMS) and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plant · Explore available solutions – such as cost-effective electricity use, battery storage, and microgrid opportunities – at both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst The partnership’s projects will begin in earnest with the arrival of Schneider Electric’s consultant on site at Kew Gardens in September. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9w-CWU3XeA[/embed] Rachel Purdon, Head of Sustainability at RBG, Kew, comments, “We are proud of our commitment to urgently tackling the dual climate and biodiversity crises through everything that we do at Kew. "Our partnership with Schneider Electric marks a major step forward in our sustainability journey. Working together, we can accelerate progress towards our ambitious goals, including becoming climate positive in less than five years. "With Kew’s unique combination of historic buildings, globally irreplaceable collections, and role of inspiring diverse audiences to connect with nature, we face complex and wide-ranging challenges. "Schneider Electric’s expertise and hands-on support will be invaluable; it will help us deliver real, measurable decarbonisation progress across our sites.” Kelly Becker, President of Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, Belgium, and Netherlands, adds, “Both of our organisations are impact makers, united in our vision for a more sustainable planet. "By combining our climate positive partnership, expertise, and energy management and automation solutions, we’re able to take real action to realise a more sustainable future at RBG, Kew. “We also have deep experience with helping organisations like Kew advance their energy resiliency, a growing priority across businesses, utilities, and communities worldwide. "In Kew’s case, maintaining a consistent energy supply is essential to protecting the world’s largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections for humanity and we’re honoured to be a part of the solution.” For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

ECN September issue out now!

The September issue of ECN is OUT NOW and packed with insights and information on the topics you care about. To read the issue in full, click here. From the Editor Welcome to the September issue of ECN. With the quieter summer months in the rear-view mirror and autumn creeping in, we’re excited to be gearing up for a whole raft of exhibitions coming our way during the month of September – not least Solar & Storage Live, which we're covering in depth in our full show preview. With a record number of renewables being installed in the first six months of 2025 according to MCS, and the Future Homes Standard set to mandate solar panels and low carbon heating in new build homes from 2027, a new wave of opportunities are opening up for electrical contractors. Those with solar expertise will surely be able to diversify their services, boost revenue, and future-proof their business, and it will be fascinating seeing how this unfolds, and what other opportunities this leads to, in the weeks and months ahead. Head to our dedicated Power/Renewables/Solar feature for more. The countdown to the ECN Awards is well and truly on, and we are now less than three months away from this year’s ceremony being held on 27 November. With entries for the awards closing imminently, we’d urge you to get your submissions in as soon as possible – as our expert panel of judges will soon be weighing up the merits of each of the submissions to determine this year’s worthy winners. A limited number of tickets for the ECN Awards are also still available, so grab yours while you still have the chance – and head to electricalcontractingnews.com/awards for all the information you need. In addition to the usual blend of news, views and commentaries we’re serving up in this month’s issue, other highlights include intriguing details on how the climate crisis may lead to a heightened level of repair work for all tradespeople, information on how you can take on the Pu Luong Trek in Vietnam with the Electrical Industries Charity, an opportunity to win a £200 One4All voucher courtesy of Ovia, and more. Enjoy the issue! Simon

Test before touch – it’s not just PEN faults!

In recent years, there has been increasing concern in the industry regarding PEN faults - a specific type of network fault with potentially lethal consequences. While the rise in PEN faults is being acknowledged and investigated, it’s important to note that these are not the only way that hazardous situations, including Touch Voltage and Diverted Current flow, are created. In particular, there has been an increasing number of incidents where engineers have come into contact with live metallic parts (e.g., metal casings or equipment) during installation or maintenance activities. These contacts can and have led to fatalities. Touch Voltages and Diverted Currents Touch Voltages: This occurs when there is a fault in the system that results in no return path for current (i.e., due to a broken or disconnected earth or neutral, combined with other faulty wiring). As a result, metallic parts (such as a distribution board, boilers or control panel) that are connected to the electrical earth could be raised to a dangerous potential. Diverted Current: This is a more complex fault, where the current may flow through unintended paths (e.g., through earth or neutral conductors). Even though the circuit might appear to be functioning normally, diverted current can present serious dangers. Let’s have a look at a couple of potential scenarios you may come across… Scenario One: The fault is hidden, and the current appears to be flowing correctly in the system, as everything is working, but when measured, it is found that the current is flowing through earth conductors. This can be detected only by measuring multiple points across the earthing and neutral conductors in the installation, (current will always follow the path of least resistance). If not detected, disconnecting cables could break the return path and present a touch voltage hazard. Scenario Two: When we isolate a circuit and prove it dead, everything should measure as being at zero potential; however, where we have multiple cables under terminals within that isolated circuit, we may also have current still flowing through the return path or via the neutral, either through cross circuits or faulty wiring. If proper checks are not performed, engineers could potentially break these return paths when disconnecting cables, creating dangerous touch voltages in the system. Prevention Tip: Use a clamp meter to check current flow, especially when multiple cables are connected to the same terminal. This can help prevent introducing a new hazard when disconnecting cables. Kewtech’s KT5 open jaw current and voltage tester is an ideal safe isolation tool equipping you with non-contact voltage indication, single and two pole voltage indication and current measurement all-in-one. Issues with Current Safe Isolation Procedures: The current safe isolation procedures in place often do not specifically account for or test for touch voltages and diverted current. Even though the best industry practices for safe isolation and proving dead are followed, these two specific hazards are often overlooked. The proving dead process usually involves opening enclosures or testing electrical terminals to confirm that the equipment is not live. However, this step can be potentially lethal if there is already a touch voltage present. Test Before Touch – The Missing Step: The concept of ‘Test Before Touch’ is well-established and often taught to engineers. However, it’s usually focused on high-voltage equipment, and not before entering or touching low-voltage equipment like distribution boards, control panels, pipework, and appliance casings (e.g., boilers or motor casings). In practice, engineers may not always adhere to this guideline, especially when handling parts of the installation that seem to be disconnected or “dead.” They may neglect to check if there is a touch voltage or diverted current present. Testing Equipment for Hazard Detection: Non-contact voltage indicators (such as the KEWSTICK DUO) and single-pole voltage detectors Kewtech’s KT1700) are often used as tools to check for the presence of dangerous voltages, though these only give us an indication that a lethal voltage may be present. Crucially, in the case of a PEN fault or similar, all conductors may be at the same potential, so when measured using a two-pole BS EN  61243-3 voltage indicator, these tools might not effectively identify the risk. In such a scenario, a single-pole device would at least give us that potentially life-saving indication. Will our industry adapt? Industry guidance on safe isolation and proving dead circuits do not typically account for checking for these hidden hazards, as part of the safe isolation process. There is the urgent need therefore to improve safety standards and include testing protocols specifically for touch voltages and diverted current, as part of the standard safe isolation protocol. It is critical that electricians and engineers are equipped with the correct tools designed to detect these issues. The need for a BS EN 61243-3 voltage indicator and proving unit should be accompanied by a single pole detection device and an amp meter as a minimum. With this, it is essential that training programs ensure they are updated to include awareness of these risks and proper techniques to mitigate them. Summary The industry’s focus on PEN faults is undoubtedly important, however, it shouldn’t overshadow the fact that deadly electrical hazards like touch voltages and diverted current are present in many installations without PEN faults. These types of faults are often not checked during routine isolation procedures, leaving engineers at risk. By updating safety protocols, ensuring proper training, and using the right test equipment, these risks can be minimised, leading to safer practices in the field. And remember… Test Before Touch! Andrew Griffiths, GCS Doncaster, in conjunction with Kewtech For more from Kewtech, click here.